The Professional (1981 film)
| The Professional | |
|---|---|
Film poster | |
| Directed by | Georges Lautner |
| Screenplay by | |
| Based on | Death of a Thin-Skinned Animal 1976 novel by Patrick Alexander |
| Produced by | Alain Belmondo |
| Starring | Jean-Paul Belmondo |
| Cinematography | Henri Decaë |
| Edited by | Michelle David |
| Music by | Ennio Morricone |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Gaumont Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Budget | $3.5 million |
| Box office | $63.4 million |
The Professional (original title: Le Professionnel; French pronunciation: [lə pʁɔfɛsjɔˈnɛl]) is a 1981 French action thriller film directed by Georges Lautner. The film stars Jean-Paul Belmondo as the title role. The film is based on award-winning 1976 novel Death of a Thin-Skinned Animal by Patrick Alexander.
The film was a commercial success upon its theatrical release and was the fourth most watched feature film in France in 1981 behind La Chèvre, Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Fox and the Hound, selling 5,243,559 tickets.
The music was composed by Ennio Morricone, and the main theme "Chi Mai" became an instrumental hit and subsequent classic.
The famous final scene of the movie was made in Château de Maintenon.