Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Film Noir Master Dassin Dead at 96

American director made classic Rififi in France

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 1, 2008 7:53 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Jules Dassin, a master of film noir who left Hollywood after being blacklisted, has died in an Athens hospital at the age of 96, reports the Los Angeles Times. Born to Russian Jewish immigrants in Connecticut, Dassin made such dark crime dramas as Brute Force and The Naked City in the 1940s. Hounded during the Red scare, he moved to France, where he directed his masterpiece, Rififi.

Rififi, the archetypal film noir, remains famous for its half-hour, dialogue-free burglary sequence. The film inspired caper movies from Ocean's Eleven to Mission: Impossible. François Truffaut called it "the best film noir I have ever seen." Dassin was "a rare human being, a significant artist, and true friend," the prime minister of Greece said in a statement.

Actress Melina Mercouri and her husband, director Jules Dassin at the International Film Festival in Cannes, France in 1978. Dassin died late Monday, March 31, 2008, at an Athens hospital. He was 96.
Actress Melina Mercouri and her husband, director Jules Dassin at the International Film Festival in Cannes, France in 1978. Dassin died late Monday, March 31, 2008, at an Athens hospital. He was 96.   (AP Photo/Jean Jacques Levy)
Film director Jules Dassin at a party in Cannes, France, May 23, 1978. Dassin died late Monday, March 31, 2008, at an Athens hospital, officials said. He was 96.
Film director Jules Dassin at a party in Cannes, France, May 23, 1978. Dassin died late Monday, March 31, 2008, at an Athens hospital, officials said. He was 96.   (AP Photo/Jean Jacques file Levy)
Greek actress Melina Mercouri and her husband, director Jules Dassin, are seen on November 22, 1960. Dassin died late Monday, March 31, 2008, at an Athens hospital, officials said. He was 96.
Greek actress Melina Mercouri and her husband, director Jules Dassin, are seen on November 22, 1960. Dassin died late Monday, March 31, 2008, at an Athens hospital, officials said. He was 96.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
A trailer for Rififi, directed by the late Jules Dassin.   (trailersdecinema (YouTube))

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Another obituary of the late director
AFP

1956 review of Rififi
New York Times

 
film • obituary • blacklist • Jules Dassin • film noir • Rififi • François Truffaut • Brute Force • The Naked City • Melina Mercouri

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne