Bandits en automobile - Épisode 2: Hors-la-loi (1912) User Reviews

Bandits en automobile Episode 2 review

[JoeytheBrit · 6/10 · 3 July 2020]

The second of a 2-part serial from Victorin-Hyppolite Jasset, who would die just one year later. Little of Jasset's work survives today, which is a shame if this fast-paced thriller is anything to go by. It's undoubtedly rough around the edges, but the action sequences are well staged even if they do go on too long. The plot was based on the true-life exploits of an infamous French gang.

Early French Criminal movie.

[happytrigger-64-390517 · 7/10 · 28 February 2022]

This short movie belongs to History of French Cinema. We see gangsters in early cars, inspired by Bonnot's band (Bonnot renamed Bruno, Garnier renamed Granier,...), perpetuating heists, car chases, violent robberies,... This is really unique in that period, shooting intelligently these violent scenes, don't miss the long travelling during a car chase. Let's hope a real mint print will be found, some scenes being too much damaged.

In fact, it's the second part of the movie, the dangerous Bruno is surrounded in a house by police, event reshot from real cinema news.

Unique.

Proto serial & cop movie.

[Mozjoukine · 3 November 2020]

From the director of the first Nick Carter films we get an indication of the crime-action cinema to come. This one is more the heir of the GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY than an acknowledgement of the character cinema of contemporary Griffith work but there are some shots (the sustained two car moving inset) which still impress and there is a notable absence of the del sartor gesturing we associate with early film. No close ups and the personnel are barely identifiable.

The mustache twisting Bonnot (become Bruno) gang do robberies and murders using their car but a superimposition of the dream guillotine foreshadows their grim fate.