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Shoot the Piano Player

Original title: Tirez sur le pianiste
  • 1960
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
21K
YOUR RATING
Shoot the Piano Player (1960)
Watch Bande-annonce [OV]
Play trailer1:50
2 Videos
94 Photos
CrimeDramaThriller

A pianist helps his brother escape from two gangsters, who retaliate by abducting their kid brother.A pianist helps his brother escape from two gangsters, who retaliate by abducting their kid brother.A pianist helps his brother escape from two gangsters, who retaliate by abducting their kid brother.

  • Director
    • François Truffaut
  • Writers
    • David Goodis
    • François Truffaut
    • Marcel Moussy
  • Stars
    • Charles Aznavour
    • Marie Dubois
    • Nicole Berger
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • François Truffaut
    • Writers
      • David Goodis
      • François Truffaut
      • Marcel Moussy
    • Stars
      • Charles Aznavour
      • Marie Dubois
      • Nicole Berger
    • 82User reviews
    • 67Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos2

    Bande-annonce [OV]
    Trailer 1:50
    Watch Bande-annonce [OV]
    Shoot the Piano Player
    Clip 2:24
    Watch Shoot the Piano Player

    Photos94

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    Top cast16

    Edit
    Charles Aznavour
    Charles Aznavour
    • Charlie Koller…
    Marie Dubois
    Marie Dubois
    • Léna
    Nicole Berger
    Nicole Berger
    • Thérèse Saroyan
    Michèle Mercier
    Michèle Mercier
    • Clarisse
    Serge Davri
    Serge Davri
    • Plyne
    Claude Mansard
    Claude Mansard
    • Momo
    Richard Kanayan
    Richard Kanayan
    • Fido Saroyan
    • (as Le jeune Richard Kanayan)
    Albert Rémy
    Albert Rémy
    • Chico Saroyan
    Jean-Jacques Aslanian
    • Richard Saroyan
    Daniel Boulanger
    • Ernest
    Claude Heymann
    • Lars Schmeel
    Alex Joffé
    • Passerby
    Boby Lapointe
    • Le chanteur
    Catherine Lutz
    Catherine Lutz
    • Mammy
    Laure Paillette
    Laure Paillette
    • La mère
    • (uncredited)
    Alice Sapritch
    Alice Sapritch
    • Concierge
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • François Truffaut
    • Writers
      • David Goodis
      • François Truffaut
      • Marcel Moussy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Because no funding was available from any of the studios, François Truffaut and his crew shot the film on the fly on the streets of Paris, often making up the script as they went along. The ending was decided on the basis of who was available at the time of shooting.
    • Goofs
      When Lena and Charlie walk home after work, the shadow of the camera can be seen on their coats.
    • Quotes

      Momo: My old man used to say: "when you hear someone at your door, think it might be an assassin, this way, if it's a thief, you'll be glad!"

    • Connections
      Featured in Sunday Night: Don't Shoot the Composer (1966)
    • Soundtracks
      Avanie et Framboise
      Music by Boby Lapointe
      Lyrics by Boby Lapointe
      Performed by Boby Lapointe

    User reviews82

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    A charming, inventive film-noir-homage.

    With singer/actor Charles Aznavour in the lead (his expressive face is priceless), "Shoot the Piano Player" is one of Truffaut's most charming and inventive works. Aznavour plays Charlie/Edouard -- a former concert pianist who becomes an anonymous piano player in a dive bar in order to escape his past. After his brother (Remy, who Truffaut also used wonderfully in "The 400 Blows") gets in trouble with some borderline inept gangsters, chaos ensues.

    Truffaut's winsome camera and editing techniques blend perfectly with Aznavour's performance. A must for fans of the French New Wave.
    • 3rdMan
    • May 2, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Shoot the Piano Player?Powered by Alexa
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 23, 1962 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • France
    • Languages
      • French
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Schießen Sie auf den Pianisten
    • Filming locations
      • Garage du Dauphiné, 53 route de Lyon, Grenoble, Isère, France(Ernest and Momo push the broken down car to a gas station, now disused)
    • Production company
      • Les Films de la Pléiade
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • FRF 890,063 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,124
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,206
      • Apr 25, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $21,124
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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