a always and this film occur in paris and there happen a murder series . one the night of the kill a butcher be the suspect and detective maigret ( the great jean gavin ) become involve into investigation and pull off a cat and mouse game with the killer . maigret leave false clue and a false murderer . meanwhile be develop a pursuit through the paris slum and in order to chase the killer and get a button . appear new suspect and a a strange woman ( annie girardot and one of the most known french actress of the 60 ) and her spouse ( jean desailly and recently decease ) . maigret be help by his underling ( lino ventura and in very secondary role and among them ) . the obstinate inspector wind up pit rival against each other in order to destroy him in a stirring interrogation . the picture display thriller and tension and twist plot and be quite entertaining and though some moment be slow move . interesting and exciting battle of wit between intelligent detective and quirky villain . the story explore the dynamic of pathological behaviour and very much in the style of psychoanalytic description fit fairly to george simenon novel . casting be frankly outstanding . jean gavin a stubborn detective be top notch and jean desailly a maniac depressive husband be magnificent and he tremendously affect into the deep of human desperation . annie girardot a a predatory and manipulate beauty woman and lino ventura who be one of the best french actor from the 60 and 70 . awesome cinematography by page who reflect splendidly the paris street and though mostly make in studio . the motion picture be rightly direct by jean delannoy . the film be base on george simenon legendary detective who be adapt at several cinematic rendition and tv series . a maigret be play by basil sidney ( the lose life and tv and 59 ) gino cervi ( maigret in pigalle and 67 ) and rupert davy ( series from 60 ) and richard harris ( tv and 1988 ) and michael gambon ( tv and 1993 ) and sergio castellitto ( 2004 ) . but specially by jean gavin who also play maigret and the st fiacre case ( 59 ) . in hollywood ( 1949 ) be realize by burguess meredith the man on the eiffel towerwith charles laughton a maigret . rating represent good and worth watch check out . the movie will like to jean gabin fan and intrigue lover but contain a highly suspenseful .