Sultry July
Sultry July

Movie spotlight

Sultry July

1965
Movie
69 min
Russian

A new chairman arrives at the Zarya collective farm with the firm intention of creating a model farm there. But from the very beginning, his work is complicated by his difficult relationship with the young agronomist Svetlana Nikitina.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users88%
Director: Jean-Pierre MelvilleGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In 1930s France, a professional thief, known only as 'Silien', finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. After a daring heist, he is pursued by both the police and a ruthless criminal underworld that suspects him of betrayal. Silien must use all his cunning to survive and uncover the truth before he becomes the next victim.

Critical Reception

Sultry July is a masterclass in suspense and atmospheric filmmaking, highly praised for its stylish direction, taut pacing, and compelling performance by Jean-Paul Belmondo. Critics lauded Melville's ability to craft a gritty, neo-noir world filled with moral ambiguity and existential dread, solidifying its status as a classic of French crime cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Masterful direction and suspenseful storytelling.

  • Jean-Paul Belmondo delivers a captivating performance.

  • A stylish and atmospheric crime thriller.

Google audience: Viewers consistently praise the film's intense atmosphere, sophisticated plot, and Belmondo's enigmatic portrayal. Many appreciate the deliberate pacing and realistic depiction of the criminal underworld.

Fun Fact

Jean-Paul Belmondo's character, Silien, famously never explicitly states his motives or feelings, adding to the film's enigmatic and coolly detached tone.

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