User reviews

Utterly tactical, strange (watch for the kinky moment of a drop-dead gorgeous blonde acting as pull-string doll for some rich folks), pointless but undoubtedly compelling late-night feature. This unhinged French production is a stew of perplexedly unfocused ideas and random plot illustrations centred on its very charismatic stars (if somewhat anti-heroes) Alain Delon and Charles Bronson. Really they don't get to do all that much, especially during the confined, lengthy mid-section where they hide themselves in a building during the Christmas break to crack a safe with 10,000 possible combinations. Oh fun! But this is when the odd, if intriguing relationship is formed between Delon and Bronson's characters. After a manipulative battle of wills (and childishly sly games against each other), the two come to an understanding that sees them honour each other's involvement and have a mutual respect. This would go on to play a further part in the twisty second half of the story with that undetectable curve-ball. Still their encounters early on suggest there's more, but what we get is vague and this is magnified by that 'What just happen there?' ending that might just make you jump. YEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! Glad to get that out of the system.

The pacing is terribly slow, but placidly measured for it and this seems purposely done to exhaust with its edgy, nervous underlining tension. Watch as the same process is repeated over and over again, and you know something is not quite right and the scheming eventually comes into play. Now everything that does happen feels too spontaneous, but the climax payoff is haunting. The taut, complex script is probably a little too crafty for its own good, but there are some neat novelties (Coins, glass and liquids… try not spilling) and visual symbolisms. Jean Herman's direction is efficiently sophisticated and low-key, but get a tad artificial and infuse an unwelcoming icy atmosphere. The sound FX features more as a potent note, than that of Francois DeRoubaix's funky score that's mainly kept under wrapped after its sizzling opening. Top drawers Delon (who's quite steely) and Bronson (a jovial turn) are solid, and work off each tremendously. Bernard Fresson chalks up the attitude as the Inspector who knows there's more going on than what is being led on. An attractive female cast features able support by Brigitte Fossey and Olga Georges-Picot.

A cryptically directionless, but polished crime drama maintained by its two leads and some bizarre inclusions.

Adieu L'ami/Farewell,Friend is a near perfect film in which a viewer is assured that there is all possibility of entertainment guaranteed.This is because apart from strong men in the form of maverick actors namely Alain Delon and Charles Bronson,there are also good performances by beautiful women such as Brigitte Fossey and Olga Georges Picot.It is true that "Adieu L'ami" respects all the conventions of heist film genre but it cannot be classified as an ordinary heist film as it is only until the end that the viewers have to guess about the actual perpetrators of a financial crime.This effect has been created by treating everybody as a suspect.As a different type of heist film, the theme of men being overshadowed by women develops slowly.This gives viewers ample time to develop their loyalties.Before directing this film, Jean Herman had already made around 15 short films.As far as screenwriter is concerned, this is Sébastien Japrisot's second film.He is best remembered for having written "L'été Meurtrier" for Jean Becker (Jacques Becker's son) which starred Isabelle Adjani and Alain Souchon.

The title FAREWELL, FRIEND makes no sense yet are actual words spoken by one of two anti-buddy buddies who'd spent years in the Foreign Legion without knowing each other, but get off the same boat with a load of expository dialogue that you best keep a scorecard to follow the shoddy pulp-inspired plot as, basically and ultimately, this odd couple... one a French medic, the other a crooked American... attempt to crack a big safe in a large, well-armed, multi-guarded building...

And why the title's nonsensical is that Bronson's pimp character says things for no apparent reason, especially "Yeah!" whenever something happens that makes him feel like saying... "Yeah!"

But Alain Delon is the tough silent type, and this film's obvious lead, actually having hand-picked Bronson from admiring his zesty performance as MACHINE GUN KELLY eight-years earlier...

What's ironic is Delon keeps Bronson from reaching equally ferocious heights by either a punch in the nose or a macho wrestling match, especially in a painfully overlong sequence where, during that epic second-act heist, both get locked inside a strongroom, close to death, followed by Bronson being beaten/interrogated and Delon beating-up the film's nice girl Brigitte Fossey while having initially fallen sap to sneaky double-crossing femme fatalle Olga Georges-Picot...

Perhaps if FAREWELL, FRIEND was a dark comedy, and didn't take itself so seriously, it'd have a more even-keeled groove... And get this... Bronson WOULDN'T be the straight man!

This will probably be my shortest comment ever; but I havent seen this film in years. However I have always liked it as a great vehicle for both Bronson and Delon. Its finely rcrafted, smooth and slick and still has a raw edge to it. When you think about intelligent action films this one is hard to forget.

An engaging psychological thriller, it's got some fights, girls, guns, muscles and chase scenes, but that's not the point. Ultimately, this film is about friendship and honor. It's a guys' flick, although girls too will be rewarded with Alain Delon's divine mug in plenty a closeup. It is probably Charles Bronson's finest performance ever, and one of Delon's best films. Made entirely in English, this is a good chance for an American viewer to appreciate French thrillers. While trying to imitate Hollywood first, they ended up being much better than the original. This movie will probably not change you as a person, but it will resonate with you.

Alain Delon and Charles Bronson star as Dino Barran and Franz Propp, two French Foreign Legion veterans returned to Marseille after fighting in Algiers. Dino makes the acquaintance of a comely lass named Isabelle (Olga Georges-Picot), who entices him into a plan to return some stolen bearer bonds to a banks' vault. He will use his medical training as a cover, working as a doctor. But while hiding in the basement, waiting to make his move, he encounters Franz, who's there to rob the vault. The two men end up locked inside it, and while they wait for the building to open up again, they spend some time forming a friendship.

The idea is that the two unlikely friends develop a strong enough bond that neither one will be willing to rat the other one out, even after Franz is later apprehended and grilled by the police.

On the surface, this would seem to be a standard comic heist movie, but it's the initially antagonistic relationship between these mismatched characters that is the real heart and soul of the film. Delon had wanted to work with Bronson since seeing "Machine-Gun Kelly", and suggested him for the role of Franz. They have great chemistry, and are particularly funny in the early going when they keep trying to one-up each other. Offering fine support are lovely ladies Georges-Picot and Brigitte Fossey as bank employee Dominique, whom Dino turns to for help. Bernard Fresson is also great as determined police inspector Antoine Meloutis.

Although a little over-extended at just under two hours, "Farewell, Friend" offers up a fair amount of fun and humour, as well as a bit of suspense. (Franz is often attempting a trick of submerging as many coins as possible in a drink before it will overflow the cup / glass.). It also has a bit of action, and some memorable and delicious twists late in the game.

Delon is cool as always, and Bronson is just a joy: smiling, laughing, joking. If you're a fan of one or both of them, you'll have a pretty good time watching this one.

Seven out of 10.

appears to have been later reworked into John Wayne's "The Train Robbers" "Adieu l'ami" (also known as "Farewell, Friend" and "Honor Among Thieves") is a French film that stars Alain Delon and Charles Bronson. Both dubbed French language and English language versions of the film were released.

The movie begins with two soldiers in the Foreign Legion coming back from North Africa (Bronson and Delon). They don't particularly like each other and Bronson is a larcenous sort. Later, Delon is approached by a woman who has a ridiculous story--she claims she needs him to break into a safe to put some bonds BACK before they are discovered missing. Why he agrees to help her, I have no idea. Once inside, he meets Bronson--who has followed Delon because he thinks Delon is going to rob the place. However, BOTH get locked in the place and can't get out or get to the safe. When they finally do get out much later, they find a dead guard and some other person stole the money. I would have ended the film here, but it goes on for about 40 more minutes--leading to a bloody shootout.

All in all, a decent film but it seemed a bit rough in spots. I also didn't appreciate the macho histrionics when the pair got locked in together--their punching each other seemed pretty silly. A decent time-passer but that's all--thanks to a lackluster script.

It is an interesting drama/thriller plenty of thrills , taut , intrigue , twists and turns . This thriller does have its moments as the stars carry out the risked task by stealing a safe . After an abroad deployment , and subsequently serving together in the overseas French Foreign Legion , a two-fisted but likable mercenary named Franz (Charles Bronson , his voice was purposely dubbed with a very strong American accent ) and a sober doctor called Dino (Alain Delon) leave the military service from Algiers and follow their separate ways . Later on , they are joined once again by a simple coincidence . Asked for a beautiful woman (Olga Georges-Picot) the doctor has made a promise to an old friend which involves his breaking into a safe to return some improperly removed bearer bonds . However, a lot of twists , turns and surprises await for Franz and Dino and in the final to straighten everything out.

This crime thriller packs intrigue , suspense , noisy action with moving heist , explosive excitement , thrills and lots of violence . Thrilling movie with plenty of nail-biting tension , suspense and action about the very deadly rivalry between two extreme contenders : two former French Foreign Legion members plan to break into the vault of a French corporation , however they eventually reunited and joining forces , both must rely on the honor among robbers , though they are eventually double-crossed . Of course , highlight of the movie results to be the thrilling and exciting hold-up , when Dino hides in an office building to accomplish his mission , he is followed by Franz , who is out to steal the contents of the safe. The film is pretty well , but there is a long intermission in which both protagonists locked inside the building together, as they reluctantly agree to cooperate in cracking the safe. This is a Charles Bronson show , playing in his usual style adding a likable interpretation . In fact , here Bronson doesn't give his usual stoic acting but displaying efficiently his sympathetic skills . Alain Delon had admired his secondary role in Magnificent Seven and Machine Gun Kelly , two of the first Bronson's starring vehicles, and Delon as co-producer along with Serge Silverman invited Bronson to co-star with him in "Adieu, L'Ami". Bronson at the time to play a lot of notorious roles in Western genre as in "From noon till three", "Chato", "Red Sun" , "Villa rides" , "Valdez" , "Nevada Express" , "White Buffalo" and especially : "Magnificent Seven" and "Once upon the time in the West" . The great duo starring are well accompanied by a nice support cast such as : Olga Georges-Picot , Bernard Fresson, Guy Delorme and Brigitte Fossey.

It contains an adequate and evocative musical score by François de Roubaix . Superbly photographed by Jean-Jacques Tarbès on various locations , this cameraman when he's given the chance is awesome . Being shot on various locations fromrly Airport, Orly, Val-de-Marne, Marseille, Viaduc de Corbière, L'Estaque, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, Place de Breteuil, Paris, Île-de-France,La Défense, Hauts-de-Seine, France. The motion picture was well directed by Jean Herman who was born on May 17, 1933 in Pagny-sur-Moselle, France and died in 2015 as Jean Georges Hubert Herman. He was married to actress Anne Doat. He was a writer and director, known for Farewell friend (1968) , Jeff (1969) , Decameron 69 (1969) ,Popsy Pop contra Papillón (1971) ,Flic ou voyou (1979) , Le guignolo (1980) ,The Inquisitor (1981) ,Le marginal (1983), Canicule (1984) , and Under suspicion (2000). Rating : 6.5/10 . Better than averge. Well worth watching . The picture will appeal to Charles Bronson and Alain Delon fans.

A clever script from the late SEBASTIAN JAPRISOT and smart performances from the two male leads - ALAIN DELON and CHARLES BRONSON (or should it be the other way around) result in an engaging and entertaining thriller.

Add to the above the competent direction from veteran JEAN HERMAN and a sparse but effective score by FRANCOIS DE ROUBAIX, it becomes easy why this film has an odd timeless quality.

This is a buddy buddy or bonding story with two loners, both disillusioned and world weary, returning, presumably from Algiers. Like the other colonial powers of this time (post WW II leading into the 60s), France had struggled to keep up appearances overseas. Losing Algiers was a bitter blow.

ADIEU L'AMI (the original title) chronicles the actions of our two (anti) heroes as they struggle to make a go of it, after their discharge.

One thing happens after another, and the viewer really has to pay attention, because JAPRISOT is lean and economical with his script: if it is there, then there must be a reason.

Suffice to say, these two men battle it out, physically and psychologically, one long weekend. Their motivation is quite different, their goals are different - their survival depends entirely on each other. That ALAIN DELON and CHARLES BRONSON are outwardly so different - the former, arguably a pretty boy, and the latter an ugly thug, adds to the chemistry.

That quest makes for a great story, which in turn, makes for a great film.

Lest I forget there are women in this film, and true to the Japrisot method, they too are memorable, though not nearly as fleshed out; to say much more would be to spoil one's delight in discovering their true nature.

FAREWELL, FRIEND HAS BEEN RELEASED IN THE UK; AN ANAMORPHIC IMAGE, 16.9 ENHANCED; IN English ONLY (not even subtitles for the hard of hearing); A RUNNING TIME OF 110 MINUTES; MONO SOUNDTRACK but the DE ROUBAIX music has lots of punch!

Highly recommended.

This seems to be Mr Bronson's first fore into foreign filmdom. The plot is too complicated to hang all that well together - with certain aspects being a little too difficult to believe. It also falls too easily into crude territory with Charley playing a pimp, willing to risk his lady friend's safety to a vulgar sex ring for the sake of stealing from the group's funds. This is not a likable Bronson personality, in fact, there are very few to really like in a picture that promises much, only to deliver less.

At nearly two Hrs it outstays its welcome quite early in the lead up to the slightly more interesting final half - but this is not quite enough to save it from its overindulgence's. With a little more character development it might have been more interesting. Bernard Fresson does well as a police inspector during the last half and even though this made money in France, it's not all that well known in the west.

Best and most memorable aspect is an interesting music score by François de Roubaix who unfortunately died in an auto accident a few years later - the DVD copy I purchased, unfortunately faded off the music after the credits - in this era, the French often left the music to play out over black film, and its disappointing they cut this off, as it's one of the better things about the movie! The Disc is unbranded but features a lot of Lions Gate trailers at the top (annoying) instead of at the end where they belong, otherwise OK quality.

Alain Delon and Charles Bronson star in "Farewell, Friend" also known as Honor Among Thieves. I believe this film was originally in French, but Delon and Bronson dubbed their own English.

The two men are home from the French Foreign Legion in North Africa. Franz Propp (Bronson) is a mercenary and invites Dino (Delon) to join him. Dino says no. Figuring he has something interesting on the horizon, Propp starts following him around, which infuriates Dino. He's supposed to help a woman who was a friend of his buddy replace a huge amount of bonds in a safe over Christmas break. The company she works for is in need of a doctor, which Dino is, and Dino takes the job and sets up a camera to record the numbers of the safe. He then finds out there is $2 million to be left there over Christmas. Unfortunately the camera only shows 3 numbers clearly of the combination.

Propp, of course, wants the money and won't leave the premises. The two stay in the basement of this building for the Christmas weekend, with Dino desperate to get rid of Propp most of the time.

They take turns trying safe combinations and as time goes on, play tricks on one another. Dino buys all the food in the vending machine and then hides it in a table; later, as they're hiding, guards take the table, thus leaving them both with no food. They lock each other in and out of places. Then their room becomes a sweat box when they are locked in and Propp tries to go through a wall and cuts the air conditioning wires by accident. This gives them an opportunity to remove their shirts so we can see their bodies. Needless to say they both look great. The questions are - can they open the safe, can they get out of the building when it opens on Tuesday, and the big one, can they live until Tuesday?

This film, which looked to be an adventure/heist type of thing is actually very funny. Bronson and Delon work beautifully together and have a lot of chemistry. And they do learn they have one thing in common - loyalty.

Someone said this film is slow - I didn't find it so. It's a real macho film with charming stars and a lot of humor. And the gorgeous Delon is given many closeups and at one point is in blue pajamas which emphasize his eyes.

I enjoyed it.

It was a time when Charles Bronson was featured in French/European productions;for the record ,one can mention "Le Passager de la Pluie "(1969) by René Clément,"De la Part des Copains " (1970)by Terence Young and the curious "Quelqu'un Derrière la Porte" (1971)where he teamed up with Anthony Perkins .

"Adieu L'Ami" is arguably best of Bronson's adventures in France ,and best of Jean Herman's small filmography .It's his only success in France "Jeff" feat Delon again being looked upon as a failure. In "Adieu L'Ami" ,Bronson replaces ,in a certain manner,Lino Ventura. The plot is suspenseful in the grand tradition of Boileau-Narcejac's frame-ups .It's one of the rare Sebastien Japrisot's scripts which does not fall apart after the second reel.The scenes in the corridor climax the movie.What a night!

A note about the cast:

Olga-Georges Picot ,after several conventional parts,sank into porno films and prematurely died.

Brigitte Fossey,whose performance in Clement's "Jeux Interdits" (1952:she was five then)was praised to the skies around the world,came back to making movies in 1967 ("Le Grand Meaulnes").It was the second effort of her second career.She is still acting .

Although Bernard Fresson (who recently died)had begun his career with Resnais ("Hiroshima Mon Amour" ,1959) it took him ten years to draw the French audience's attention : his part of a cop was hailed by the critics.

This movie is definately one of my favorite movies in it's kind. The interaction between respectable and morally strong characters is an ode to chivalry and the honor code amongst thieves and policemen. It treats themes like duty, guilt, word, manipulation and trust like few films have done and, unfortunately, none that I can recall since the death of the 'policial' in the late seventies. The sequence is delicious, down to the essential, living nothing out and thus leading the spectator into a masterful plot right and wrong without accessory eye catching and spectacular scenes that are often needed in lesser specimens of the genre in order to keep the audience awake. No such scenes are present or needed. The argument is sand honest to the spectator; An important asset in a genre that too often achieve suspense through the deception of the audience. No, this is not miss Marble... A note of congratulations for the music is in order A film to watch and savor every minute, not just to see.

Charles Bronson is the only American in the cast of Farewell Friend a French production where he co-starred with Alain Delon. Both are members of the Foreign Legion which was seeing some bad times in that period what with Dienbienphu and then the Algerian war for independence. They meet when both decide not to re-enlist and meet while processing out.

Delon is a doctor who may have enlisted to prevent trial over some indiscretions. Bronson is a professional thief and is going back to his former trade. But both find themselves breaking into the same vault for different reasons. And Delon turns out to be a quick study in Bronson's trade.

Some nice images of both Paris and Marseilles plus an extended sequence at Orly Airport mark this film. Our stars give it their best but there are some mighty stretches of dullness here.

I hope Charles Bronson enjoyed this vacation in France. Good reason as any to make a mediocre film.

Better than I expected after struggling through the soporific first twenty minutes, Delon's aloof character warms up to Bronson's more overtly casual non-conformist as the two form an initially uneasy alliance in order to crack a $2million dollar safe job. But there's a couple of twists to this tale that raise the stakes just when things had the potential to become a little too confined.

I'm not sure who takes this picture, the leads seem to equally inhabit the space and each character has some interesting angles and sharp dialogue. Fresson's appearance late in the picture as a hard-nosed inspector adds another dimension to the cat and mouse caper, and Bronson's gimmick with the Francs adds a surprising amount of tension for an otherwise trivial game, testament to director Herman's filmmaking abilities. Fossey was also very good, as Delon's ostensibly docile, impressionable young assistant whose character gets more screen time as the tale unfolds.

Action, romance, humour and attractive locations make this buddy picture a surprisingly effective tale that gains momentum and leads to a well-crafted and satisfying conclusion. It was hard work in the beginning, but I'm glad I persevered, it's well worth a look.

Fought really hard not to fall asleep to the boring dialogue of two dudes locked in a safe. Can't think of anything to make it worse.

It is my personal opinion that "adieu l´ami" is one of the most underestimated movies of alain delon. Its psychological structure is of a highly complex density and needs to be analysed more. Especially the ambivalent role of women, sex and violence makes plenty of different interpretations possible. I propose to view "adieu l´ami" as an early outlook to the risky and multi-individualistic lifestyle and social attitude of the late ninetees. Comparing now the plot of "adieu l´ami" to the reality of western societies it must be seen as a masterpiece of impressing directive power.

Cherchez la femme, both of them. Having recently mustered out of the French Foreign Legion with Algeria lost, two operators (Delon Bronson), now free to ply their trades, will tangle over terms in Marseille, then team-up in Paris for a job that begins as a favor to a friend (Georges-Picot) but turns into the most unusual corporate heist and escape in history.

A Franco (GFP) / Italian (Medusa) make with a late 60s élan, written by Jean Herman (d) & Sébastien Japrisot, there are within the story, scents of Topkopi and My Name Is Nobody (foes to friends), even some whiffs of Bonnie and (Bonnie) late. A slow grower but when the buds blossom you'll start breathing in deep, then press the petals to keep. Made big money at the box office in Europe, boosting Bronson to superstar status sur le continent, with compelling co-stars in Brigitte Fossey (Forbidden) as the compliant Dominique, nicknamed "Waterloo" for her calamitous nature, and Bernard Fresson as, what else, L'inspecteur (FC2). Has a real electricity in alternating current (fights finesse) with an Andy Warhol-like avant garde, but it is the friendship they forge that you will take to heart (See also; Ronin TGTBTU). Also known as Honor Among Thieves and, at home, Adieu l'ami (3.5/4).

Bronson was an action star, whether he was in a studly ensemble or, later, the leading man.

In this Frenchie production, he gets to use martial arts to take out some baddies, which is fun. But the movie he's in is completely inert. It's so stiffly directed I can almost see the X where the actors stand for each shot.

Doesn't help that his co-lead is Inanimate Carbon French Rod Alain Delon. That guy make Tom Cruise seem like a thespian by comparison.

I gather the movie is about a bank heist. It takes them a long time to get down to it.

Thanks to the almost total lack of a soundtrack, this movie could easly be used as a sleep aid, if one were so inclined.

Otherwise, it has almost no value. Well, it has a lot of good-looking mademoiselles.

Bronson shines in this great film. This is clearly one his his best pics yet. The movie is great. The story, the acting... Everything. The chemstry between Bronson and co-star Alain Delon works well.

One quesion though... why is Bronson billed so low? Look at how the cast is listed on imdb page... Bronson WAS the star of this, along side Alain Delon.

I've heard that new DVD versions of this film are terrible in quality. I have an OLD vhs of this that is pretty good. The quality isn't great, but it is surely watchable. I guess I'm lucky.

Anyway- go see this movie now!