The Assassination

Journalist and left-wing activist François Darien is contacted by the French secret service to bring his friend Sadiel to Paris. Sadiel is an African opposition politician living in exile in Geneva. A big television program about Sadiel is planned, through which he will receive a large audience. Neither Darien nor Sadiel know that the action is organized by Colonel Kassar, who wants to eliminate Sadiel. In neutral Switzerland, such an undertaking would not be possible. Shortly after his arrival, Sadiel is picked up by the police and brought to Kassar. Darien risks everything to save his friend.

The French Conspiracy is a gripping political thriller starring Jean-Louis Trintignant and Gian Maria Volontè. The character of Sadiel is based on the Moroccan politician Ben Barka, who was lured to Paris by Mossad agents and eventually killed in Morocco. You root for Sadiel and Darien as they cling to their ideals, only to discover that they are part of a very different game. A highly recommended film.

US version heavily shortened

In the US, the film was released by Code Red on Blu-ray. On it are two versions of the film. First, there is the original, uncut version, for which only the French audio with optional English subtitles is available. The master came from Studio Canal. In addition, there is a shortened US version that has a good 25 minutes less, and only has the English audio. This was reconstructed using the Studio Canal master. In the credits, there is a note that this version was reconstructed from several sources, but in fact only the Studio Canal picture master was used. There are no exclusive scenes in the US version and the opening credits also appear to have been recreated. The note at the beginning probably refers to the audio, which was assembled from multiple sources. For the US version, the dialogues were adjusted after the cuts. They were partly changed in content, partly shifted a bit. It is therefore not so easy to adapt the English audio to the uncut version. Probably one of the reasons why they took the trouble to reconstruct the US version.

The US version shows very well how movies were adapted for the US audience. The main goal was to reduce the runtime, so you can find longer cuts as well as minimal shortenings. A sip from a wine glass or the pulling out of a briefcase and other scene parts that were not absolutely necessary were removed. The cuts are well placed and due to the adaptation in the dubbing, they are not noticeable. The US version is therefore quite interesting.

Runtimes:

US version: 98:22 min.
Original version: 123:08 min.

Comparison between the US version and the original version.

[00:00:21][00:00:21]

The US version begins with a note that this version was reconstructed from various sources and is not an exact representation of The French Conspiracy.

With a still image of hands extended upward, the titles are superimposed.

In the original version, the switch is seen earlier.

US: 1:09 min.
OV: 1 sec.


[00:01:59][00:00:52]

The original version shows another shot of Sadiel, the next shot in which he walks to the car starts earlier.

OV: 5 sec.


[00:02:04][00:01:01]

Sadiel is longer seen getting into the car. In the next shot, his car is seen being chased by Swiss police.

OV: 11 sec.


[00:02:09][00:01:17]

The shot starts earlier. The man comes out of the house and welcomes Sadiel.

OV: 3 Sec.


[00:02:17][00:01:28]

The picture of Sadiel and the head of state's cousin is seen for a longer time.

OV: 3 sec.


[00:02:47][00:02:01]

The man offers a cognac. The other man accepts.

OV: 5 Sec.


[00:03:41][00:02:59]

The man with the cognac is seen longer. The next shot starts earlier.

OV: 1 Sec.


[00:04:17][00:03:35]

The picture with Sadiel and Kassar can be seen longer.

OV: 1 Sec.


[00:04:23][00:03:42]

The man walks to the picture of Darien earlier.

OV: 1 Sec.


[00:04:38][00:03:59]

Both men can be seen for a longer time.

OV: 1 Sec.


[00:05:01][00:04:22]

Cut to the man. The other man asks if they have anything to pressure Darien with. The man pulls something out of his briefcase.

OV: 5 sec.


[00:05:11][00:04:38]

Darien's file can be seen for a longer time.

Opening credits follow as protesters march through the streets. The police march up and confront the demonstrators. Edith tells Darien that she wants to leave now, but Darien wants to stay a little longer. The two arrange to meet the next day. The demonstrators start throwing vegetables at the policemen.

OV: 2:15 min


[00:05:39][00:07:21]

More police officers run out of squad cars to support their colleagues.

OV: 6 sec.


[00:05:42][00:07:30]

Violently, the policemen beat down the demonstrators.

OV: 21 sec.


[00:05:52][00:08:01]

The burning car can be seen for a longer time. After that, more scenes from the riots.

OV: 9 sec.


[00:06:18][00:08:36]

Darien is led away longer, pushing through the crowd. The next shot with the cops starts earlier.

OV: 13 sec.


[00:07:22][00:09:52]

The prosecutor can be seen for a longer time.

OV: 1 sec.


[00:07:35][00:10:07]

Darien is seen earlier after being asked why he secretly left France.

OV: 1 sec.


[00:07:48][00:10:20]

After the next question, Darien is seen earlier again.

OV: 1 sec.


[00:07:51][00:10:25]

The prosecutor can be seen earlier. He looks down.

OV: 1 sec.


[00:08:13][00:10:47]

The prosecutor goes on to say that a police officer was shot during the escape. The prosecutor walks to the window as he reports that the cop suffered permanent damage. Darien says that he was there but the prosecutor already knows this. The says that files tend to get dusty and forgotten. Darien says there was a deal.

OV: 40 sec.


[00:08:55][00:12:10]

Darien is seen earlier as he waits.

OV: 1 sec.


[00:09:09][00:12:25]

Darien and the lawyer are seen earlier in the hallway.

OV: 1 Sec.


[00:10:01][00:13:18]

Henri can be seen earlier as he goes to Edith.

OV: 1 Sec.


[00:10:55][00:14:12]

Henri and Edith are seen earlier.

OV: 1 Sec.

[00:11:35][00:14:53]

After Henri says goodbye, Edith comes to Darien and asks if he will file a complaint. He thinks this is not very effective. Edith hugs him and says she has four hours of interview for her project. Darien is dismissive, as he now thinks little of people who help the poor. He says that Edith gets off on helping the poor. For this he catches a slap from her. He pulls her onto the bed and kisses her.

OV: 1:06 min


[00:12:49][00:17:14]

Darien walks across the courtyard and tells a man that he is expected by Lempereur. Darien says that he has come on foot and therefore does not need to park his car. The man leads him inside.

OV: 27 sec.


[00:14:05][00:18:57]

Darien looks around the party.

OV: 14 sec.


[00:15:21][00:20:26]

Lempereur takes Michael and Darien aside. Michael finds the party and the capitalist guests boring and would rather continue talking with Darien. Lempereur says that he is a business lawyer and therefore only capitalists are at his party.

OV: 31 sec.


[00:17:28][00:23:04]

Garcien stops again and tells Darien that they will pay for the travel expenses, but his salary will be paid by Euro TV.

OV: 17 sec.