Product Details

• Actors: Jean Gabin, Gabriel Gabrio, Saturnin Fabre, Fernand Charpin, Lucas Gridoux
• Directors: Julien Duvivier
• Writers: Julien Duvivier, Henri Jeanson, Henri La Barthe, Jacques Constant
• Producers: Raymond Hakim, Robert Hakim
• Format: Black & White, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Criterion
• DVD Release Date: January 7, 2003
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00007CVS3
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,801 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Pepe Le Moko (The Criterion Collection)" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jean Gabin was a brooding, rough, working-class antihero in France when his role as cool master criminal Pepe Le Moko made him an international star. In the Casbah of French Morocco, an underworld slum of winding alleys dotted with tiny rooms, bars, and hideouts, Gabin's Pepe is the prince of the criminal jungle while at the same time its prisoner. He's safe only as long as he remains in this world the local gendarmes can't penetrate. During a clumsy police raid, he meets a lovely Parisian (the exotic Mirielle Balin) adorned in expensive jewelry, but in the midst of flirting, his eyes leave her baubles and meet her gaze. Pepe falls in love and Moroccan Inspector Slimane, the only cop to have earned his respect, makes this new chink in Pepe's armor the center of his plan to capture the Casbah's most notorious gentleman thief. Gabin is marvelous as the confident yet restless Pepe, a cultured man--equal parts elegance and edgy brutality; at home in this urban jungle, but restless to escape. Julien Divivier's romantic crime classic is a prime example of French poetic realism (a precursor to American film noir, shot in a shadowy style enhanced by the claustrophobic rooms and crowded streets. It's a world where friendship and trust are everything, yet betrayal and duplicity await around every dark corner, and Pepe exacts a harsh justice on those who defy his code. Hollywood remade the film as Algiers with continental heartthrob Charles Boyer in Gabin's role. --Sean Axmaker

Product Description

The notorious Pepe le Moko (Jean Gabin, in a truly iconic performance) is a wanted man: women long for him, rivals hope to destroy him, and the law is breathing down his neck at every turn. On the lam in the labyrinthine Casbah of Algiers, Pepe is safe from the clutches of the police--until a Parisian playgirl compels him to risk his life and leave its confines once and for all. Once of the most influential films of the 20th century and a landmark of French poetic realism.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jean Gabin At His Best August 27, 2005

By C. O. DeRiemer TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

"Le Moko? A prince of plunder," says Inspector Slimane. "Fifteen convictions, 33 daylight robberies, two bank holdups. And burglaries? We haven't enough fingers in this room on which to count them all. How could he not be admired? And such a good boy! He wears his heart on his sleeve. As quick with a smile for his friends as a knife for foes. So charming."

Pepe le Moko (Jean Gabin) fled France for Algiers after a robbery, and has been holed up in the Casbah for two years. He's a major crime figure and the police, as long as he stays in the Casbah's labyrinth of streets, stairways and alleys, protected and warned by the people who live there, can't touch him. But le Moko is tired of his fate. He longs for France and freedom. He's bored with his life and with his mistress (Line Noro). The Casbah has become a prison. He knows Inspector Slimane (Lucas Gridoux), for whom he has a degree of liking, is patiently waiting for the opportunity to trap him. Then one night, escaping from a botched police raid, he encounters Gaby (Mireille Balin), a slumming socialite whose bills are being paid by a wealthy older man. She, at first, is intrigued by his reputation and then is captured by his charm and confidence. Le Moko is captured, too, by her beauty, her freshness and by the overwhelming lure of freedom she represents. In the background, observing and then manipulating, is Inspector Slimane. When we first meet him, Slimane seems a little too obsequious to his superiors and a little too outclassed by le Moko. In fact, he proves smarter and more ruthless than anyone else. The ending is a heartbreaker.

Jean Gabin gives a performance of such understated power that you can't keep your eyes off him. What's le Moko like, asks one character. Charming and frightening is the reply.... For those, such as myself, who consider Gabin probably the finest screen actor, the charm is there, and so is the possibility of brutality not far from the surface. Lucas Gridoux also gives a fine performance. Inspector Slimane is a "native" cop, working under French superiors. He knows the Casbah, he can read le Moko. He's patient and he's determined. Slimane walks with a stoop and a smile that's all too ready, as though he has learned what it takes to work with the French. With all that, Gridoux gives Slimane a toughness and tenacity that underlines the inevitability of le Moko's fate.

This is a picture to watch while falling in love, said Elvis Mitchell, then a film critic for the New York Times. He's right. The film at times is almost jaunty and can be cynical, but it also tells a story that is poetic, romantic and doomed. After watching the final scene, you'll be glad to have someone to hug.

The Criterion DVD looks just fine. There are several interesting extras. Read more ›

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ENGAGING & ROMANTIC FOREIGN ADVENTURE February 28, 2003

By Robin Simmons VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

One of the most influential films of the 20th century, PEPE LE MOCO has a legendary reputation for not being seen. In 1938 Hollywood remade it as Algiers, but kept the original off-limits. Jean Gabin, in a truly iconic performance, is the titular notorious and elegant master thief who is safe as long as he stays in the Casbah.

"Women long for him, his rivals want to destroy him, and the law is breathing down his neck..." Enter a Parisian playgirl and Pepe is compelled to risk his life and its confines once and for all.

This landmark crime romance is the precursor to film noir. Restored to full length, this digital transfer with new subtitles is loaded with extras including a 1962 interview with director Julien Duvivier. Highly recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Restoration of a Timeless Classic January 27, 2003

By Andrew Mendelssohn

Format:DVD

Many thanks to Criterion for releasing this wonderful restoration of Pepe le Moko. This film was impossible to find on dvd prior to this release, and Criterion has gone to great lengths to do a complete presentation.
The film itself looks wonderful. There's still some slight aging, etc, but most of these were retained on purpose. In addition to the film, this disc includes some great supplements including the history of "Pepe" and a direct comparison between Pepe le Moko and the English language remake the next year, Algiers.
I had seen Algiers many times prior to seeing Pepe. I loved Charles Boyer but if you have a chance to see both films I think you will agree that Pepe le moko is by far supperior. Jean Gabin's screen presence to an extent that Boyer doesn't quite match. In addition, the romance in Pepe has real sparks and chemistry. This is simply a wonderful film, and this dvd edition is excellent.
Thank you Criterion.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars TAKE ME TO THE CASBAH August 28, 2002

By JOHN D THOMPSON

Format:VHS Tape

This film reached almost legendary status in the US because Hollywood remade it as ALGIERS & kept the original from being shown. Pauline Kael called it 'superb entertainment' & Graham Greene thought it was considerably more. Who am I to disagree? This movie is a perfect demonstration of why women all over the world fell in love with mugs like Gabin & Bogart & why little boys wanted to grow up and be them. The plot couldn't be simplier. A master thief is safe from the police as long as he stays within the confines of the Casbah. A bulldog police inspector is determined to lure him out. Enter the bored mistress of a wealthy Frenchman to complete the triangle. But what drives the story is not plot but character. All the elements: direction, writting, acting, lighting, editing etc. are all of a piece & eliminating one seriously alters the whole. In one memorable scene Pepe & the woman gaze into each other's eyes while reciting stops on the Paris Metro simultaneously reaching the same destination from opposite ends. If this scene doesn't get to you the ending surely will.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzling pursue for freedom� April 20, 2003

By Kim Anehall VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pépé, a notorious gangster from Paris, has been forced to seek refuge in the maze of Casbah where he evades the police's futile attempts to capture him. During the police force's attempts to find a way to capture him, the mobster Pépé continues to raid jewelry stores and steal whatever he can get his hands on, and when he is not on a robbery he spends his time with his lover, Inès, or plays card. However, one night when Pépé is dodging the police's hopeless attempts to catch him, he crosses paths with Gaby Gould, a stunning Parisian woman. This encounter opens up Pandora's Box for Pépé and he falls in love with Gaby who reminds him of ultimate freedom. The score played in the film intensifies the perplexity of Pépé's situation that is further improved through cinematography, which produces a sense of entrapment. In addition, the misé-en-scene and acting is of world class. In end, Pépé Le Moko offers a spellbinding story, which at the end deliberately forces the audience to ponder the film's fundamental message.