Long before Casablanca and its community of "vipers, vipers everywhere," there was the Casbah, where Pepe le Moko, "the prince of plunder," eluded the police. Jean Gabin gives an iconic template performance as the outlaw anti-hero, "as quick with a smile for his friends as a knife for his foes"; who "has spies on every rooftop" and for whom "every crook is his accomplice." Mireille Balin costars as the slumming socialite who will prove his undoing. Line Noro makes a much more indelible impression as Pepe's impassioned discarded lover, as does Lucas Gridoux as the "tolerated" Inspector Slimane, who cannot help but admire the charming Pepe, but promises, "I'll get you, Pepe, but in my own way." This features-laden DVD includes a 1962 interview with director Julien Duvivier, excerpts from a documentary tribute to Gabin, text that puts this seminal film in historical context, and a video comparison between Pepe Le Moko and the 1938 Hollywood remake, Algiers. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (K. Lee Benson)
Pepe Le Moko
Criterion, 94 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95 Volume 18, Issue 2
Pepe Le Moko
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