After Jules Dassin was blacklisted in Hollywood for refusing to cooperate with the Committee for the House Committee of Un-American Activities and name names of communists in Hollywood and went to Europe to make films. His first film set in London was the classic Night and the City, and after that he made Rififi (1956) in Paris. And along with New York in The Naked City, he captured the energy of each city with his realistic location shots that set a precedent for live locations. All three films mentioned were film noir and very popular among the French. Perhaps, Rififi was most well-known for a 30 minute set piece, without music, in which the jewelry heist crew breaks into the jewelers. Overall, it is a entertaining and beautifully shot film. Dassin won the Best Director prize at Cannes for this effort. The Criterion edition includes: a new digital transfer, with fully restored picture and sound, a video interview with director Jules Dassin, production stills, plus set design drawings by Alexander Trauner, informative production notes, and theatrical trailer.
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