Directed by Bertrand Tavernier
Screenplay by Bertrand Tavernier, Jean Aurenche
Director of photography: Pierre-Wiliam Glenn
Music by Philippe Sarde
Cast: Philippe Noiret, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre Marielle
Genre: crime comedy
Production: Les Films de la Tour, Films A2, Little Bear

Jim Thompson’s novel is set in the Wild West and its hero is a sheriff. In Bernard Tavernier’s adaptation, the location is swapped for a small town of just 1280 residents, exactly the same as the Wild West settlement, while the lead role is a naïve, indeed an apparently somewhat weak police chief (Philippe Noiret) who is scorned by all. A public toilet was built in front of his house and his wife has eyes not for him but for the man who is pretending to be her brother. This good-natured police chief learns a lesson: if you get kicked, kick back even harder. And those who took him for a harmless and simple fool are shocked to find they are greatly mistaken.