Rififi

A gripping heist unfolds in the shadows of Paris, where betrayal and ambition collide.

Critics broadly regard Rififi as a landmark French crime film whose meticulously staged heist, intelligent craft, and humane criminal characters established a template for the genre.

• The safe-breaking operation unfolds through extended, nearly wordless attention to tools, timing, obstacles, and teamwork.
• Tony, Jo, Mario, and Cesar operate within a code of loyalty that is repeatedly tested by betrayal and personal desire.
• Black-and-white cinematography renders postwar Paris, nightclubs, jewelry displays, and criminal interiors with severe noir contrast.
• Cesar's decision to give a valuable ring to his mistress compromises an otherwise meticulously planned burglary.

• The Asphalt Junglegroundbreaking meticulous heist structure, organized crime, and morally conflicted criminals
• Le SamouraïFrench crime atmosphere, criminal loyalty, and tragic noir fatalism
• The Killingstylish jewel theft, criminal professionalism, and suspense built around procedural detail
• The Killing of a Chinese Bookieclassic noir heist plotting, betrayal, and the tension between criminal codes and personal desire

Director

Jules Dassin

Release Date

1955-04-13

Runtime

118 min

Rating

7.8 / 10 (664)

What is Rififi about?

A hardened Parisian ex-con assembles an elite crew for an immaculate jewelry heist whose fragile code of loyalty cannot survive human weakness.

What is Rififi like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rififi as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Rififi violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Rififi as moderate.

What did critics think of Rififi?

Critics broadly regard Rififi as a landmark French crime film whose meticulously staged heist, intelligent craft, and humane criminal characters established a template for the genre.

Which films are like Rififi?

Films with a similar feel include The Asphalt Jungle, Le Samouraï, The Killing, and The Killing of a Chinese Bookie.

How long is Rififi?

Rififi runs 118 minutes.