The Red Circle | 1970

Main Plot

After being released from prison, skilled thief Corey finds himself drawn back into the criminal underworld. His path soon intersects with Vogel, a fugitive who has just escaped police custody, and Jansen, a former police officer struggling with alcoholism. Recognizing their combined talents, the three men form an uneasy alliance and meticulously plan an ambitious jewelry heist in Paris. Each brings unique expertise to the operation—Corey's precision, Vogel's resourcefulness, and Jansen's inside knowledge of law enforcement. As they execute their plan, they must navigate not only the formidable security measures of their target but also the relentless pursuit of a determined police inspector. Tension mounts as trust is tested and the risks escalate, leading to a suspenseful showdown where loyalty and fate hang in the balance. The Red Circle weaves together themes of fate, loyalty, and the blurred lines between law and crime.

Characters

• Alain Delon plays Corey, a stoic master thief recently released from prison. As he orchestrates a high-stakes heist, Corey's code of honor is tested by betrayal and fate.
• Bourvil portrays Inspector Mattei, a determined police officer haunted by his own failures. His relentless pursuit of justice forces him to confront the blurry line between duty and obsession.
• Gian Maria Volontè is Vogel, a notorious escapee desperate for freedom. Vogel's alliance with Corey and his struggle with trust drive the tension and uncertainty within the criminal trio.

Ending Explained

The ending of The Red Circle brings the tense alliance between Corey, the escapee Vogel, and the ex-cop Jansen to a somber close. After successfully executing their meticulously planned heist, the trio finds themselves relentlessly pursued by the police, led by the determined Inspector Mattei. Despite their initial triumph, betrayal and fate catch up with them: Vogel is killed during a police ambush, and Jansen, struggling with his own demons, also meets a tragic end. Corey, who had hoped the heist would secure his freedom and a new life, is ultimately cornered and shot by the authorities. The film’s conclusion underscores the inescapable consequences of their choices, as each character’s past and personal flaws ultimately seal their fate. The red circle—symbolizing both destiny and the unbreakable bond of criminal brotherhood—closes around them, leaving a sense of inevitability and melancholy. The ending reinforces the film’s themes of fatalism and the impossibility of escaping one’s own nature, bringing the story to a stark, poignant resolution.