there be only two reason to see this film represent 1. jean gabin and 2. an almost flawless example of a certain zeitgeist of the early 70 represent . there have be several film make in several country around the basic theme represent in an evil system it the oppressor that be responsible for create criminal and who be actually themselves victim of a faulty society and therefore criminal should be set free and the system overturn a new and good system shall come in which and by default and there will be no crime because we would not have any cause for it . all base on a marxist conception of criminality in modern society that and by the way and still after 40 year rule among most criminologist in western europe . all this be hand down to u by an extremely heavy hand director ( giovanni be responsible for write some of the best script in french cinema and should have leave direct to director ) and complete with line such a people will march on the street . and gabin final judgment on society it a kill machine . an utterly unbelievable criminal turn angel delon try to go straight after a 10 year sentence but the effort be shatter by an utterly unbelievably evil police detective . all this be witness by an elderly parole officer ( gabin ) with a heart of gold . the plot be predictable and the end inevitable and and only the bad hollywood moralize studio effort be well at hammer a message down your throat . here the message seem to be political while in hollywood it often rather religious and but the technique be the same and and strangely and you can hardly miss the devil and god work around a hapless man even here . unless youre a fan of the great jean gabin and it a waste of time .