Charlie is a classical pianist who has changed his name and now plays jazz in a Paris bar. When Charlie’s brothers, Richard and Chico, ask for his help while on the run from gangsters, he aids their escape. Soon Charlie and Lena, a waitress at the same bar, face trouble when the gangsters arrive.

The second feature from François Truffaut, the iconic French New Wave auteur, stars French singer Charles Aznavour as the titular pianist turned crook. Shot in monochrome by Raoul Coutard, and with exquisite music from George Delerue, this is the director’s ode to the film noir genre.