Born Constantin Hokhloff in 1924 in Billancourt, France, Michel Constantin made his mark in the cult cinema realm as a versatile character actor. His rugged presence and stature lent him well to roles in crime and war films throughout the 1970s, including The Pariah (1972) and The Outside Man (1972). Often typecast as a gangster or tough guy, he brought a unique intensity to his performances, making him a notable figure in the genre. His collaborations with various directors and co-stars helped solidify his status within the cult film community.
The Pariah
Episodic portrait of a criminal, from 1934 until after the war. Roberto Borgo is tough, cool, sardonic, loyal, and deadly. He comes to Marseilles to help his friend Xavier Saratov get out of jail, first killing a local brothel and casino boss to take over the businesses, and, with the help of Xavier's sister, Georgia, amass money for Xavier's defense. Xavier loses in court, so Roberto gets himself thrown in prison to be with his friend. Escape proves futile, but they are pardoned in exchange for working as sappers. After the war, Xavier is a bitter cripple, but Roberto remains detached, extorting ownership of a casino, which puts his friends at risk. Does he care?
