23h58 (1993)
A taut French crime thriller set against the roar of Le Mans, where a stadium heist mirrors the dark genius of Kubrick.
23h58 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 23h58
- Release Year: 1993
- Directed by: Pierre-William Glenn
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 24m
- Original Language: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 20, 1993 (France)
- Alternative Titles: 23 heures 58 (FR)
- Production Companies: MW Productions
- Production Countries: France
23h58 - Plot
This "heist" film tells the story of a robbery in a stadium during the Le Mans 24 hour motorcycle race. Throughout the film are constant references to other movies in the genre. A policeman investigating the robbery is surprised to discover that the heist bears striking resemblance to the robbery depicted in Stanley Kubrick's 1956 film, The Killing. The robbery itself was perpetrated by Bernard, an ex-racer who dedicates the theft to a dead peer. He enlists the help of Thierry and several others to steal 6 million francs from the gate. He and his gang then hideout in the stadium until the race is over. Things are working against Bernard though. Two martial-arts experts try to cut in on the action. A gang member's girlfriend squeals to the cops, and an Arab assistant is killed.
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23h58 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Pierre-William Glenn
Main Cast
- Jean-François Stévenin
- Jean-Pierre Malo
- Gérald Garnier
- Yan Epstein
- Kader Boukhanef
- Amélie Glenn
- Sophie Tellier
- Isabelle Maltese
- Pierre-Octave Arrighi
- Jean-Charles Frappin
Writers
- Pierre-William Glenn
- Frederick Leroy
- Edith Vergne
Producers
- Pierre-William Glenn
23h58 - FAQs
What is 23h58 about?
23h58 follows Bernard, a former motorcycle racer who mastermines a daring stadium robbery during the Le Mans 24-hour race. He and his crew plan to steal six million francs from the gate receipts and hide inside the venue until the race ends, but betrayal, rival criminals, and a sharp-eyed detective threaten to unravel everything.
Is 23h58 inspired by Stanley Kubrick's The Killing?
Yes. The film deliberately echoes Stanley Kubrick's 1956 noir classic The Killing. A detective investigating the stadium heist notices the crime bears a striking structural resemblance to the racetrack robbery in Kubrick's film, and 23h58 is filled with affectionate references to classic heist cinema throughout.
Who directed 23h58?
23h58 was directed by Pierre-William Glenn, a highly regarded French cinematographer who also served as the film's producer and co-writer. Known primarily for his camera work on films by François Truffaut and Bertrand Tavernier, 23h58 stands as one of his notable directorial efforts.
Who are the main actors in 23h58?
The film stars Jean-François Stévenin as Bernard, the ex-racer masterminding the heist, and Jean-Pierre Malo as Commissaire Steve Morin, the detective on his trail. The supporting cast includes Gérald Garnier, Yan Epstein, Kader Boukhanef, Amélie Glenn, Sophie Tellier, and Isabelle Maltese.
When was 23h58 released?
23h58 was released in France on October 20, 1993. The film is a French production by MW Productions and was shot in French, making it primarily a domestic release that has since attracted attention from international fans of European crime cinema.
What genre is 23h58?
23h58 is a crime thriller with strong heist-film sensibilities. It blends the tension of a meticulously planned robbery with the kinetic backdrop of a 24-hour motorcycle race, while also functioning as a loving homage to classic genre cinema, particularly the American noir tradition exemplified by Stanley Kubrick.
How long is 23h58?
23h58 has a runtime of 84 minutes, making it a lean and efficiently paced crime thriller. The compact running time suits the film's tightly wound heist structure, keeping tension high from the initial planning stages through the chaotic unraveling of Bernard's carefully laid scheme.
Who wrote the screenplay for 23h58?
The screenplay for 23h58 was written by Pierre-William Glenn, Frederick Leroy, and Edith Vergne. Glenn's dual role as director and co-writer gave the film a unified creative vision, allowing the genre homages and the Le Mans racing backdrop to be woven seamlessly into the heist narrative.
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