7 Best European Action Films

What?:: 7 Best European Action Films
Cinematographer Pierre Morel's directorial debut is a non-stop action film that takes place in a Paris ghetto in the near future. When we asked him to list several great European action movies he admits, "Action never really was a European genre." But he adds, "Some beautiful movies include action scenes that truly marked my cinematographic culture."

Here are seven European films that inspired him.

Chronologically:

"Alexander Nevsky," directed by Sergei Eisenstein (1938)
"Like most Russian movies, 'Nevski' is quite slow... but the famous scene of the battle on ice with the Teutonic knights is a masterpiece, both graphically, and in terms of editing. It may look a little dated now (the film came out in 1938) but it really set the standards for all big epic medieval battle scenes. (Check again "The Lord of the Rings.")" [Technically Russian films aren't European films, but Morel makes his point with this one. —Ed.]

"Le Capitan," directed by André Hunebelle (1960)
"I saw this one as a kid and it probably started my attraction for action. Jean Marais was performing his own stunts and sword fights and duels. No need for stunts or doubles. It felt real and really was a lot of fun."

"Casino Royale," directed by Ken Hughes (1967)
"The ultimate James Bond?"

"Le Casse," directed by Henri Verneuil (1971)
"The car chase in Athens is a landmark in car chase history. What else can you say?"

"Giù la testa," a.k.a. "Duck You Sucker" a.k.a. "A Fistful of Dynamite," directed by Sergio Leone (1972)
"Western was the ultimate American genre until Sergio Leone. What we called spaghetti western was just a rebirth for the genre — a lot of action, a lot of fun, a lot of humor. And what great cinematography and soundtracks."

"Le Professionnel," directed by Georges Lautner (1981)
"One of the best Jean-Paul Belmondo appearances. Once again, it really makes a difference when actors do their own action scenes themselves, and Belmondo was one of them. A great action movie with an interesting criticism of politics between the 'third world countries' and their 'allies.'"

"Léon" a.k.a. "The Professional," directed by Luc Besson (1994)
"Luc Besson brought back the action genre in the European film industry. '(La Femme) Nikita' and 'Léon' are filled with perfect action pieces. The final attack by the SWAT teams and Léon's and Mathilda's escape in the hallways is great. The relationship between the characters is always predominant in Luc's movies. That's what makes them so endearing."