The Professional

"Never leave vengeance to amateurs."

1981 1h 48m FR

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 618

ActionAdventureThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Josselin Beaumont, a French secret agent, is tasked with assassinating Njala, the president for life of Malawi in Africa. A shift in French policy means that assassinating Njala is no longer an option. But instead of recalling their agent, high-ranking officials deliberately sacrifice Beaumont by handing him over to the Malawian authorities. Arrested, tried, and imprisoned, he nevertheless manages to escape. Back in Paris after a two-year absence, he informs his superiors through Colonel Martin that he will fulfill his contract during Njala’s upcoming official visit to Paris between the 12th and 15th of this month, and that he has a few scores to settle with the D.G.S.E. The question is, should Beaumont be stopped or not?

“Never leave vengeance to amateurs.”

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Cast

Jean-Paul Belmondo
Commandant Joss Beaumont
Robert Hossein
Commissaire Rosen
Elisabeth Margoni
Jeanne Baumont, épouse de Joss
Jean-Louis Richard
Colonel Martin
Jean Desailly
Ministre
Michel Beaune
Capitaine Édouard Valeras
Cyrielle Clair
Alice Ancelin
Pierre Vernier
Salvatore Volfoni

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Georges Lautner
Writers: Michel Audiard, Georges Lautner, Jacques Audiard
Languages: French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

45 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Georges Lautner, shot by Henri Decaë. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Ennio Morricone. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Michelle David shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Jean-Paul Belmondo and Robert Hossein and Elisabeth Margoni carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Never leave vengeance to amateurs.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0082949 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Georges Lautner directs. Henri Decaë behind the camera. Ennio Morricone scores. Michelle David cuts. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

145 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Directed by Georges Lautner, shot by Henri Decaë. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Ennio Morricone. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Michelle David shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Jean-Paul Belmondo and Robert Hossein and Elisabeth Margoni carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Never leave vengeance to amateurs.".
7IMDB entry: tt0082949 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 15 themes, including "prison", "sniper", "homeless person", "husband wife relationship".