Le Corps De Mon Ennemi (aka The Body Of My Enemy) (1976)

Released from prison after seven years for a murder he did not commit, a man (Jean Paul Belmondo) returns to his hometown seeking vengeance on the people who framed him. Co-written and directed by Henri Verneuil (THE SICILIAN CLAN), this revenge crime film left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. Oh, it's very well done, stylish and well acted but I didn't get the satisfactory catharsis that most of these revenge movies are supposed to provide. Belmondo's wronged man has every right to exact "justice" from those responsible for his jail time but Belmondo, normally the most likable of actors, isn't very likable here. When you lie down with dogs, you can't complain when you get fleas and he went in with his eyes wide open. I can't believe he was that naive. He has a chip on his shoulder regarding the privileged elite class since childhood and that's what starts him on the journey to his downfall. There's a nice score by Francis Lai (A MAN AND A WOMAN). With Marie France Pisier, Bernard Blier, Francois Perrot, Daniel Ivernel, Nicole Garcia and Claude Brosset.