Le Cercle Rouge (1970): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Le Cercle Rouge is a 1970 crime thriller directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, starring Alain Delon as Corey, Gian Maria Volonté and Yves Montand. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and earned $505,089 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 20m (140 min)
- Director
- Jean-Pierre Melville
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Euro International Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Le Cercle Rouge About?
The premise of Le Cercle Rouge without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
No place to hide, nowhere to run. After French criminal Corey is released from prison, he swears off the underworld, but a chance meeting with escaped murderer Vogel drags him back in. Teaming with former cop‑turned‑alcoholic Jansen, they plan a jewel heist while the quirky Commissioner Mattei—who lost Vogel’s custody—determines to catch them.
Le Cercle Rouge Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- heist
- nightclub
- shot to death
- recruiting
- roadblock
- gangster
- organized crime
- train
- neo noir
- ambush
- ex convict
- metaphoric title
+38 more Show fewer
- delirium tremens
- security system
- security camera footage
- stolen jewellery
- security alarm
- criminal underworld
- marseille france
- prisoner transport
- jumping from a moving train
- escaped prisoner
- wall safe
- alarm system
- marksman
- jewellery store
- jewel heist
- target practice
- road
- french criminal
- man shot to death
- pursuer
- man killed
- man shot
- elimination
- corrupt prison guard
- on the run
- stolen jewelry
- murder
- police officer
- sharpshooter
- telescopic rifle
- hiding in a car trunk
- jazz club
- career criminal
- release from prison
- paris france
- manhunt
- nightclub owner
- color in title
Le Cercle Rouge Cast & Characters
Alain Delon leads the cast as Corey, with Gian Maria Volonté as Vogel and Yves Montand as Jansen. Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville; 28 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jean-Pierre Melville
-
Alain Delon as Corey -
Gian Maria Volonté as Vogel -
Yves Montand as Jansen -
Bourvil as Commissioner François Mattei
Also Starring in Le Cercle Rouge
· 24 more- André Ekyan Rico
- Anna Douking Corey's old girlfriend
- François Périer Santi
- Guy Henry Guardian (uncredited)
- Paul Crauchet The Receiver
- Édouard Francomme Billiard hall watchman
- Paul Amiot Marchand, Inspector General of Police
- Robert Favart Salesman at Mauboussin
- Pierre Collet Prison Guard
- Jean Champion Level-crossing guard
- Yvan Chiffre Policeman
- René Berthier Judiciary Police Director
- Jean Franval Hotel keeper
- Yves Arcanel Committing magistrate
- Jacques Léonard Policeman
- Roger Fradet Policeman
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Jacques Galland Train conductor
- Jean-Pierre Janic Paul, Rico's henchman
- Jean-Pierre Posier Mattei's Assistant
- Jacques Leroy Policeman
- Stéphanie Fugain Cigarette seller (uncredited)
- Robert Rondo Policeman
- Jean Pignol Court registry clerk
- Jean-Marc Boris Jean-Marc, Santi's Son
Le Cercle Rouge Plot Summary
What happens in Le Cercle Rouge from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Corey is released early from a Marseille prison for good behavior, and just before his departure a warden hints at a prestigious Paris jewelry shop that could be robbed. Motivated and strategic, he heads to the home of a former associate, Rico, who has let him down and where his former girlfriend now lives. There, he forcibly takes money and a handgun from Rico’s safe. From the safe, he also seizes a troubling reminder of the past as he plans his next move. He then goes to a billiard hall, where two of Rico’s men confront him. After a brief, brutal exchange, Corey kills one attacker, incapacitates the other, and pockets the gun.
Full summary
The whole story of Le Cercle Rouge, scene by scene
Le Cercle Rouge Box Office
Le Cercle Rouge grossed $505,089 worldwide. $432,820 came from the US and Canada and $70,138 (14%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$505.1K
- US & Canada
- $432.8K
- International
- $70.1K
How Well Do You Know Le Cercle Rouge?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the prisoner who is released early from the Marseille prison and leads the heist?
Le Cercle Rouge Also Known As
29 alternative titles, including “De rode cirkel” and “Den røde cirkel”.
- Also known as
-
- De rode cirkel
- Den røde cirkel
- Círculo rojo
- The Red Circle
- 암흑가의 세 사람
- 암흑가의 세사람
- Den røde sirkel
- Vier im roten Kreis
- I senza nome
- 红圈
- Красный круг
- O Círculo Vermelho
+17 more Show fewer
- Osudový kruh
- המעגל האדום
- Ateş Çemberi
- W Kręgu Zła
- A vörös kör
- Червеният кръг
- Den röda cirkeln
- Ο Κόκκινος Κύκλος
- 仁義
- Raudonasis ratas
- دایره سرخ
- Tên Trộm Hào Hoa
- Punainen ympyrä, წითელი წრე
- Червоне коло
- El cercle vermell
- Crveni krug
- 紅圈
Seen Le Cercle Rouge?
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Le Cercle Rouge FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Le Cercle Rouge, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Le Cercle Rouge?
Le Cercle Rouge runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).
When was Le Cercle Rouge released?
Le Cercle Rouge was released on October 19, 1970.
Who directed Le Cercle Rouge?
Le Cercle Rouge was directed by Jean-Pierre Melville.
More films by Jean-Pierre Melville Who is in the cast of Le Cercle Rouge?
Le Cercle Rouge stars Alain Delon as Corey, Gian Maria Volonté as Vogel and Yves Montand as Jansen, among 28 credited actors.
How much did Le Cercle Rouge make at the box office?
Le Cercle Rouge grossed $505,089 worldwide ($432,820 domestic, $70,138 international).
Does Le Cercle Rouge have a post-credit scene?
No. Le Cercle Rouge has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Le Cercle Rouge in?
The original language of Le Cercle Rouge is French.
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