Known for its high-octane sequences, including a famous car chase near the Trocadéro in Paris and a Western-style "fast-draw" duel.
Ennio Morricone provided the score, featuring the iconic theme "Chi Mai," which became a classic instrumental hit. The Professional(1981)
Jean-Paul Belmondo, who also co-produced the film and performed many of his own stunts. Known for its high-octane sequences, including a famous
( Le Professionnel ), released in 1981, is a quintessential French action thriller that solidified Jean-Paul Belmondo's status as a major 1980s action icon. Directed by Georges Lautner, the film is an adaptation of Patrick Alexander's 1976 novel Death of a Thin-Skinned Animal . Production Overview Director: Georges Lautner. ( Le Professionnel ), released in 1981, is
With a budget of approximately 20 million francs ($3.5 million), the film was a massive commercial success, selling over 5.2 million tickets in France and grossing roughly $63.4 million. Plot Summary
The film explores themes of institutional betrayal and the cold reality of realpolitik , where individuals are treated as expendable resources.
The story follows , a French secret agent sent to the fictional African nation of Malagawi to assassinate its dictator, President N'Jala. However, mid-mission, the political climate shifts, and the French government betrays Beaumont by handing him over to the local authorities to avoid diplomatic embarrassment.