Ginette Vincendeau discusses the artistic value of his films in their proper context and comments on Jean-Pierre Melville's love of American culture and his controversial critical and political standing in this English language study.

Ginette Vincendeau is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Warwick. She is the author or editor of numerous publications including The Encyclopedia of European Cinema, Stars and Stardom in French Cinema, Pepe le Moko and (with Alastair Phillips), the forthcoming Journeys of Desire: European Actors in Hollywood.