Le clan des Siciliens (The Sicilian Clan). 1969. France/Italy. Directed by Henri Verneuil. Screenplay by Verneuil, José Giovanni, Pierre Pélégri, based on a novel by Auguste Le Breton. With Jean Gabin, Alain Delon, Lino Ventura, Irina Demick. In English. 4K DCP. 122 min.
It’s hard to resist this diamond heist caper given the film’s sterling cast (Delon, Gabin, Ventura), moody cinematography (Henri Decaë) and cool decor (Jacques Saulnier). While Henri Verneuil seemed to knock out this sort of popular fare with ease, The Sicilian Clan was one of his biggest box office hits back in France, where it was shown in its original uncut version. With its twangy guitar, Sicilian “boing,” and signature whistling, Ennio Morricone’s score recalls Henri Mancini and Johnny Mercer’s music for Charade a few years prior, all Continental sophistication and amoral intrigue.