Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, after carrying out a flawlessly planned hit, Jef Costello, a contract killer with samurai instincts, finds himself caught between a persistent police investigator and a ruthless employer, and not even his armour of fedora and trench coat can protect him. Starring: Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon, Cathy Rosier, Jacques Leroy and Michel Boisrond.

The name Alain Delon is practically synonymous with classic French cinema, and Le samouraï might be the perfect example of why. His presence in this film is imposing, calculated, clever and slick, and for the majority of its runtime, he’s providing all of that while keeping completely silent. He creates this persona for Jef, one of ruthlessness and coldness, yet he leaves enough room to still make himself the hero of this story. Providing the potential for a warmer, kinder side while never really showing it. Presenting a man who simply views killing as a job, rather than having a natural desire for death and pain.

It’s the perfect combination for the high-stakes but low-key atmosphere which Jean-Pierre Melville builds. There’s a huge focus on style and elegance, giving everything a suave lens, and flowing beautifully throughout. The visual is effortlessly sleek, it may be one of, if not the classiest assassin film ever created. Something that is undeniably improved even further with the help of its latest 4K restoration, highlighting the piercing blue eyes of Delon, as well as a magnitude of other details. It enriches the colours, the depth and the textures, making Le samouraï very satisfying viewing.

Possibly one of the most deceptive elements is how the story flows so well but deconstructed it’s actually very simple. Which is a huge compliment to Melville, he had no need for a convoluted, ultra-layered chase, it’s a game of wits and proof, classic cat and mouse tale. It’s all about the next move, and keeping the viewers in suspense, something that Melville does very well. There’s also the great addition of the ultra-cocky detectives who you can’t help but root against, even if you were already rooting for Jef.

Le samouraï is a career highlight for Jean-Pierre Melville, which is saying something for a man whose filmography is satisfyingly filled with deception and death. It’s beautifully sleek, the aesthetic is filled with those deep blues and the curiosities and dark potential of the night. The cinematography from Henri Decaë (Elevator to the Gallows, Bob le flambeur) is elevated by the 4K restoration, when it was already dazzling work. Alain Delon gives an iconic performance, and special mention has to go to Cathy Rosier, who brings such phenomenal composure.

Verdict: ✯✯✯✯ | 8/10

New 4K Restoration released as part of the Criterion Collection from 15 July | Available on HMV, Amazon, Zavvi & Rarewaves

Special Features include: New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack | One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features | Interviews with Melville and actors Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon, and Cathy Rosier | Interviews with Rui Nogueira, editor of Melville on Melville, and Ginette Vincendeau, author of Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris | Melville-Delon: D’honneur et de nuit (2011), a short documentary exploring the friendship between the director and the actor and their iconic collaboration on Le samouraï | Trailer | PLUS: An essay by film scholar David Thomson, an appreciation by filmmaker John Woo, and excerpts from Melville on Melville