Trench Coat Heroes - Jean-Pierre Melville
Heroes, specifically anti-heroes, wear trench coats. We know that. But who's the ultimate trench coat hero? Bogart? Certainly an archetypal trench coat wearer. But for the ultimate trench coterie, old Tweedy suggests the Gallic-noir crime films of Jean-Pierre Melville, and their moody anti-heroes played by the actors Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Ultimate Trench Coat Hero
And the Oscar Goes to AquascutumMelville used trench coats so much that they should have credits at the end of the films. It's said that they're used as symbols of the genre and of the characters that wear them. Le Doulos and Le Samouraï are packed with trench coat scenes, but they're also cracking crime capers. Perfect with a hard slug of scotch in a tough square glass, no ice.
Here's looking at you, Jean-Pierre.
I've not heard of Le Doulos--thanks! I was fortunate enough to first see Le Samourai on a big screen. Still remember that great opening scene.
ReplyDeleteI could watch these films all day -- in fact, I do! A friend of mine has a projector installed for bigger screen action. Tempting. Best wishes, Tweedy
DeleteHi Tweedy,
ReplyDeleteAs a result of this post I found out the film Le Doulos, as you say it’s a cracking crime caper, full of twists and turns. It had me guessing. Marvellous. Also it was the first time I’d seen Belmondo
Regards
David A
Hi David. Glad you enjoyed it. Belmondo has buckets of manly charisma. Do get in touch if you can recommend a film to the chaps. Best wishes, Tweedy
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