Michel Audiard had a point

The crisp wit of French films written with Michel Audiard is a collection of punchlines (as we say in the 21st century). But some are terribly relevant nowadays, here's our top 5 sharp retorts and quotes (freely translated from French).

5. Michel Audiard – Quote: "A financier never has remorse. Not even regrets. Just plain fear."

4. Jean Gabin – Le Pacha: "When you're talking money, from a certain amount onwards, everyone listens."

3. Michel Audiard – Quote: "We are governed by swindlers who set the price of beetroot and wouldn't know how to grow radishes."

2. Maurice Biraud – Pushing up daisies: "The more money you've got, the fewer principles you have. Dough is the gangrene of the soul."

1. Lino Ventura – Les Tontons flingueurs: "Idiots dare anything! That’s even how you recognise them."

And all this is pure literary fantasy signed by Michel Audiard, not targeting any particular contemporary person, of course.

As a bonus

Jean-Paul Belmondo – Un Singe en hiver: "Back off Eskimos! I'm going in alone. A matador always comes back alone! The greater he is, the lonelier he is. I leave you to your ice shelves, your igloos, your penguins. ¡ Por favor Señora! What time is the train to Madrid?"

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Sources: Wikipedia, Wikiquote, Evene, Babelio – Michel Audiard – Picture: © picture alliance / Photo12 | André Crudo)