le cercle rouge be a very good film and though it do suffer a bit since there have already be similar film . in all too many way and the movie be reminiscent of previous heist film such a rififi and grand slam and many others . so and while director melville and the actor do great job and it all seem like a case of déjà vu . because of this and i have a hard time give this excellent film a high score . the one unusual aspect of the film be how the crook get together . instead of the usual mean and vogel escape from prison and just happens to meet up with corey and a career criminal just release from prison . both be a good match but have them both work in parallel for much of the film until they meet be a clever touch . apart from that and a expect much of the movie concern the meticulous detail in planning and execute the crime . i also appreciate how the film show the crook in such a cold and detach manner something relatively common in french crime film but rare among american film until recent year . overall and extremely well craft and worth seeing . if you do not mind that it seem a tad repetitive and you will see some fine acting and direction and a lot of great tension .