The Professional(1981) -

Jean-Paul Belmondo, who also co-produced the film and performed many of his own stunts.

Written by Michel Audiard and Georges Lautner, with contributions from Jacques Audiard and script doctoring by Francis Veber.

( Le Professionnel ), released in 1981, is a quintessential French action thriller that solidified Jean-Paul Belmondo's status as a major 1980s action icon. Directed by Georges Lautner, the film is an adaptation of Patrick Alexander's 1976 novel Death of a Thin-Skinned Animal . Production Overview Director: Georges Lautner. The Professional(1981)

The film explores themes of institutional betrayal and the cold reality of realpolitik , where individuals are treated as expendable resources.

Known for its high-octane sequences, including a famous car chase near the Trocadéro in Paris and a Western-style "fast-draw" duel. Jean-Paul Belmondo, who also co-produced the film and

With a budget of approximately 20 million francs ($3.5 million), the film was a massive commercial success, selling over 5.2 million tickets in France and grossing roughly $63.4 million. Plot Summary

The story follows , a French secret agent sent to the fictional African nation of Malagawi to assassinate its dictator, President N'Jala. However, mid-mission, the political climate shifts, and the French government betrays Beaumont by handing him over to the local authorities to avoid diplomatic embarrassment. Directed by Georges Lautner, the film is an

Ennio Morricone provided the score, featuring the iconic theme "Chi Mai," which became a classic instrumental hit.