Rating: 
Summary: Pepe never looked this good!
Review: For those who are familiar with the sort of film Hollywood had to offer during its "Golden Age", it is a revelation to see French productions of the same period. They are completely different in every respect. Fresh, inventive, bitingly witty or hopelessly romantic, the classic French film creates a sort of visual and narrative poetry that is both an essential part of its realism, and transcends reality to create a different sort of world, rich in heightened emotion. Films such as Marcel Carne's "Quai des Brumes", and "Le Jour Se Leve" offer definitive examples of the French poetic realist school with its appealingly romantic drifters (often played by Gabin), sad and worldly women (the likes of Michele Morgan and Arletty), its doomed romances, and shadowy mise en scene. Yet even amongst such undisputed classics as these, Pepe le Moko stands out as something special from its opening shots of the Casbah to its tragic conclusion. It is particularly fortuitous that we should be able to compare this film to its vastly inferior American remake, Algiers (1938). All that Algiers lacks can be aptly summed up in one word: Gabin. For it is Gabin that makes "Pepe" what it/he is. It is impossible not to feel your heart beat a little quicker at his entrances and exits, and he electrifies the screen at the merest flicker of an eyelid. The film without him (Algiers) betrays the essential silliness of the central plot conceit and charming Charles Boyer does not have the force of personality to smooth out plot weaknesses. In Pepe le Moko one can see the best example to be had of the iconic Gabin role, and in the merging of star and character find something special and riveting. Criterion has done a magnificent job with this release! The picture is no less than exquisite and the extras are, as always, both highly useful and wonderfully entertaining ( the director interview with M. Duvivier is certainly a highlight!) Those who are true Pepe-philes take note: the transfer here is so good that it is possible to note that during the tour de force scene in which Pepe mourns the loss of his "mome" Pierrot, Gabin wears his own shirt, identified by the monogram JG on the breast pocket. I highly reccommend this release. Criterion has distinguished itself once again!
Rating:
Summary: Pepe Le Moko
Review: Having already seen the remake of "Pepe Le Moko" entitled "Algiers" years ago, I decided to see the remastered original, in March 2002 in the theatre. While I had appreciated Charles Boyer, I fell absolutely in love with Jean Gabin, and the entire film. What a masterpiece! I was really blown away, being intensely captivated for the 90 minutes or so, being in another time and place. I went to view it a second, and third time also. And the ending of "Pepe" is preferable to "Algiers." P.S. I'm waiting for the DVD also.
Rating:
Summary: Rock the Casbah!
Review: High quality movie with Jean Gabin as the handsome and cool gangster hiding out in the seedy Casbah where people are packed in like sardines. It's a romance with a fine mixture of adventure in an exotic setting, crime drama, colorful characters, and suspense all inspired by Gabin's love for a beautiful, unconventional woman.
Rating:
Summary: fabulous story, casts of characters,oh so exotic!
Review: I have seen the movie twice in theaters,I love the darn movie(as well as, generally speaking, any of the 1930/1940/1950 Jean Gabin flicks), and I am trying to get it in a DVD version. When do you think this will happen?I hope soon...
Rating: 
Summary: Not Believable
Review: I'm afraid that I was disappointed by this 1936 movie of French gangsters in the Casbah. I suppose this was a copy of American gangster movies, but Jean Gabin as a suddenly love sick hard guy willing to risk prison for a pretty face is not believable. In fact, none of the characters seemed realistic. They were almost cartoonish. Humphrey Bogart or James Cagney in their 1930's gangster movies were far more realistic and their films hold up better. Because Gabin's love for Juline Duvivier is not developed, we can not understand why Pepe would give up the sexy life he has in his exotic world. The best part of the movie is Pepe's walk to the harbor. The camera follows him from behind and from unusual angles and cuts. There is a Citizen Kane feeling in these shots. The gritty tear scene at the end is interesting also. Technically this movie is not up to American Gangster movies, but you can see the influence on Godard in the 50's.
Rating: 
Summary: The inspiration for "Pepe Le Pew".
Review: I'm not kidding! Criteron's DVD informs us that the amorous, animated skunk would never have come to life had it not been for French actor Jean Gabin's Pepe from *Pepe le Moko*. That's reason enough to like this movie: imagine how poorer the world would be without Le Pew. In the meantime, *Pepe le Moko* itself is somewhat overrated. Released in France in 1937, it was blocked from American shores years after the American re-make *Algiers*, with the result that the critics over here have been overgenerous with their praise. The movie's claim to be the "Father of Film Noir" can be demonstrably disputed . . . and even if you accept that claim as a given, you're still left with comparing it to later, greater movies in the genre. The fact is, the French are just not naturals at noir: any country that can create several philosophical and scientific systems of CUISINE is never really going to feel the grittiness of the noir milieu where it counts -- at the gut level. (The French can even name the genre -- "noir" -- without truly understanding what it's really about.) Example? Jean Gabin himself as Pepe, the exiled French gangster languishing in Algiers' Casbah. He's too civilized an actor for this essentially rat-like role. (At least Charles Boyer, in the American version, sort of LOOKS rat-like.) Finally, the leading lady is inadequate, in terms of looks and talent. After all this you may be wondering why I'm giving *Pepe le Moko* 4 stars. Location, location, location. Most of the film's world, clogged with humanity's odors and detritus, was miraculously concocted with the use of imaginative sets, but a great deal of it was shot on location in Algiers. All in all, the setting immerses you in its exotic locale to an extent that makes *Casablanca* seem like a tawdry back-lot. One rarely gets the chance to see old-fashioned European colonialism in action . . . this film is a prime example of it, as it was made by a French film studio, much of it shot in one of their traditional colonial holdings. If nothing else, this contributes to the film's standing as a fascinating curio. And the character of Pepe (though not necessarily Gabin's portrayal) is an extremely important -- and iconic -- representation of the classic cinematic anti-hero. Pepe was, after all, one of the very first of 'em.
Rating:
Summary: DVD is superb
Review: Many thanks to Criterion for releasing this wonderful restoration of Pepe le Moko. This film was impossible to find on dvd prior to this release, and Criterion has gone to great lengths to do a complete presentation.
The film itself looks wonderful. There's still some slight aging, etc, but most of these were retained on purpose. In addition to the film, this disc includes some great supplements including the history of "Pepe" and a direct comparison between Pepe le Moko and the English language remake the next year, Algiers.
I had seen Algiers many times prior to seeing Pepe. I loved Charles Boyer but if you have a chance to see both films I think you will agree that Pepe le moko is by far supperior. Jean Gabin's screen presence to an extent that Boyer doesn't quite match. In addition, the romance in Pepe has real sparks and chemistry. This is simply a wonderful film, and this dvd edition is excellent.
Thank you Criterion.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Restoration of a Timeless Classic
Review: Many thanks to Criterion for releasing this wonderful restoration of Pepe le Moko. This film was impossible to find on dvd prior to this release, and Criterion has gone to great lengths to do a complete presentation.
The film itself looks wonderful. There's still some slight aging, etc, but most of these were retained on purpose. In addition to the film, this disc includes some great supplements including the history of "Pepe" and a direct comparison between Pepe le Moko and the English language remake the next year, Algiers.
I had seen Algiers many times prior to seeing Pepe. I loved Charles Boyer but if you have a chance to see both films I think you will agree that Pepe le moko is by far supperior. Jean Gabin's screen presence to an extent that Boyer doesn't quite match. In addition, the romance in Pepe has real sparks and chemistry. This is simply a wonderful film, and this dvd edition is excellent.
Thank you Criterion.
Rating:
Summary: Rock the Casbah!
Review: My mom and I had recently tried watching the French movie Breathless but we both couldn't sit through it. A week later we watched the French movie The 400 Blows, which touched me but she was indifferent. When I pulled out the Pepe Le Moko DVD the other day, mom said, "Oh no, please, no more French films." But we watched it and we both loved it. I recommend this movie highly. It's a wonderful mix of adventure, suspense, and romance in an exotic setting.
Rating:
Summary: ENGAGING & ROMANTIC FOREIGN ADVENTURE
Review: One of the most influential films of the 20th century, PEPE LE MOCO has a legendary reputation for not being seen. In 1938 Hollywood remade it as Algiers, but kept the original off-limits. Jean Gabin, in a truly iconic performance, is the titular notorious and elegant master thief who is safe as long as he stays in the Casbah. "Women long for him, his rivals want to destroy him, and the law is breathing down his neck..." Enter a Parisian playgirl and Pepe is compelled to risk his life and its confines once and for all. This landmark crime romance is the precursor to film noir. Restored to full length, this digital transfer with new subtitles is loaded with extras including a 1962 interview with director Julien Duvivier. Highly recommended.
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