Question 1

What real-life gangster inspired the character Abel Davos?

Accepted Answer

The character Abel Davos is based on Abel Danos, a gangster involved in the French Gestapo in Paris between 1941 and 1944. Writer José Giovanni, his nephew, magnifies the character.

Question 2

Why did passersby in Milan chase the actors during the opening sequence?

Accepted Answer

The opening sequence was filmed with a candid camera, making passersby think they were witnessing an actual robbery, leading them to chase the actors.

Question 3

Which film starring Jean-Paul Belmondo released one week before this one, and how did it affect its performance?

Accepted Answer

Breathless (1960) was released one week before. Its massive success is named as a reason for this film underperforming.

Question 4

What restoration did The Big Risk undergo in 2023?

Accepted Answer

The film underwent a 4K digital restoration in 2023 from the original negative at the Éclair Classics labs.

Question 5

What did director Claude Sautet not know about the Abel Davos character?

Accepted Answer

Claude Sautet said after shooting that he did not know the character was inspired by a gangster who collaborated with the Nazis against the French resistance and Jews.

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The Big Risk

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