The Cop

The Cop (original French title Un condé) is a 1970 French-Italian crime film directed by Yves Boisset. Michel Bouquet stars as Inspector Favenin, a dedicated officer whose friend and colleague, played by Bernard Fresson, is gunned down while investigating a drug case. Convinced that justice is impossible within a corrupt police force, Favenin sets out to avenge the killing by adopting the criminals' own methods of beatings and gunfire, even if it means breaking the law himself. The cast also includes Françoise Fabian, Michel Constantin, Rufus and Gianni Garko. The film stirred controversy on release for its bleak portrayal of the police and its hero's ruthless violence; Interior Minister Raymond Marcellin tried to have it banned, but the attempt failed and the publicity around the censorship battle helped make the film a popular success.