The Police War

Two, Brasseur and Jobert, did not appeal to me nearly as much as the duo Auteuil and Depardieu in the film with the same name in Czech, I dare say it is two classes worse. Almost no tension, sometimes a dull script, and a downright awkward ending. I think I prefer the newer French crime movies. (2011-06-11)

One task, two police teams burdened by rivalry. They should be pulling together, but instead, there’s an effort to cut the rope—or at least to cut Inspector Marlène Jobert. Undoubtedly one of the sources of inspiration for Olivier Marchal, who offers several aspects typical of French crime films. A sympathetic dose of cynicism and roughness, a charismatic protagonist (Brasseur), a sense of lightness supporting civility, and characters at various levels of corruption. Looking at those unnecessary dead bodies, it's clear that these two cop gangs pose a greater danger to French society than Cruchot's boys. (2020-10-26)

A typical French crime film of the late 70s and 80s with a strong cast led by Claude Brasseur and Marlene Jobert. In comparison to today's film productions, it would be worth a reliable four-star rating, but in the context of the time, it is only mildly above average, primarily due to its somewhat unfinished screenplay. Otherwise, it contains typical motifs from French productions of that era, namely criticism of political practices of those in power, violence from the police, and rivalry between different branches of the police force, which hinders effective intervention from the state authority. Overall impression: 65%. (2009-11-08)