Un témoin dans la ville (1959)

	Also Known As: Der Mörder kam um Mitternacht
	Year of first release: 1959
	Director: Édouard Molinaro
	Actors: Lino Ventura, Franco Fabrizi, Sandra Milo
	Country: F, I
	Genre: Polar
	Conditions of visioning: 07.11.2013, DVD
Synopsis: Une lutte sans merci oppose un criminel et le réseau des radio-taxis dans Paris.
Review:  I just bought a pack of 4 movies with Lino Ventura and this is the first and oldest one. The story is relatively basic but both Lino Ventura and Franco Fabrizi are leading it well. The book is by Boileau-Narcejac, famous French crime novelist. The oppressive story tried to be enhanced by the lights, but this does not fit. The transition of lights are often on a wrong timing with regard to the story or the movement of the characters on the picture, but the will was there. The position of lights and camera, the cut tend to know what they want but the realisation is not very successful. Maybe low budget or wrong materials compared to Murnau movies. At least this paves the way to other French crime movies of the 50s and 60s that are also quite silent and dark.
Rating: 4 /10