The French Detective

The story

When political thugs murder an opponent's volunteer and also kill a cop, chief inspector Verjeat believes the politician who hired them is as guilty as the murderous goon. Verjeat's pursuit of the councilman, Lardatte, gets him a warning from his superiors. When he embarrasses Lardatte while disarming a hostage (the dead volunteer's father), Verjeat is told he's being transferred within a week. He speeds up his hunt for the goon and, with Lefévre, one of his young detectives, he engineers a complicated scheme to buy more time before the transfer. How should Verjeat play out his values of honor and duty?

Cast & crew

Lino VenturaCommissioner Verjeat

Patrick DewaereInspector Lefèvre

Victor LanouxPierre Lardatte

Julien GuiomarGeneral controller Ledoux

Pierre TornadeCommissioner Pignol

Françoise BrionMarthe Rigaux, boss of the brothel

Claude RichJudge Delmesse

Michel PeyrelonRoger Portor, brother of Antoine

Claude BrossetAntoine Portor, Lardatte's henchman

Gérard HéroldInspector Moitrié

Gérard DessallesInspector Ransac

Jacques RispalMr. Mercier, father of the young man killed