As gripping as a Melville movie - until half-way through when we're shown a rapid sequence involving drug-pushers and -users, portrayed in the worst possible stereotypes as black, lesbian or gay. This underworld sequence ends in a marijuana den with an implied orgy involving Kedrova and the punters (all black). Yes, we are warned at the start of the dangers posed by drug-taking, but the sub-text arising from this scene suggests the worst excesses of Nazi film propaganda. Despite a fantastic cast (Gabin, Ventura, Kedrova) and slick direction/camera work, the final twist is unbelievable and the final images of butch women, simpering gay men and a black male user having a fit leave a foul after-image. Many will disagree with me, but in all conscience I cannot give more than one star to this ideological nightmare.
