Pickpocket

Pickpocket

Directed by Robert Bresson • 1959 • France
Starring Martin LaSalle, Marika Green, Pierre Leymarie

This incomparable story of crime and redemption from the French master Robert Bresson follows Michel, a young pickpocket who spends his days working the streets, subway cars, and train stations of Paris. As his compulsive pursuit of the thrill of stealing grows, however, so does his fear that his luck is about to run out. A cornerstone of the career of this most economical and profoundly spiritual of filmmakers, PICKPOCKET is an elegantly crafted, tautly choreographed study of humanity in all its mischief and grace, the work of a director at the height of his powers.

Pickpocket
  • Pickpocket

    Directed by Robert Bresson • 1959 • France
    Starring Martin LaSalle, Marika Green, Pierre Leymarie

    This incomparable story of crime and redemption from the French master Robert Bresson follows Michel, a young pickpocket who spends his days working the streets, subway cars, and train stations of P...

Extras

  • PICKPOCKET Commentary

    Recorded in 2005, this audio commentary features James Quandt, senior programmer at TIFF Cinematheque and editor of “Robert Bresson.”

  • Paul Schrader on PICKPOCKET

    This introduction to PICKPOCKET by writer-director Paul Schrader was recorded in 2004. Please note: the introduction contains remarks about the ending of the film.

  • The Models of PICKPOCKET

    Filmmaker Babette Mangolte tracked down three of the actors from Robert Bresson’s PICKPOCKET for this 2003 documentary.

  • “Cinépanorama”: PICKPOCKET

    In this 1960 episode of the French television program “Cinépanorama,” director Robert Bresson answers questions about PICKPOCKET from interviewers France Roche and François Chalais.

  • Once There Was Everything

    In this video essay, filmmaker :: kogonada examines the use of doors in the films of Robert Bresson.

  • Q&A on PICKPOCKET

    In this Q&A footage from a 2000 screening of PICKPOCKET at the Reflet Médicis cinema in Paris, actor Marika Green and filmmakers Paul Vecchiali and Jean-Pierre Améris field questions about the film.

  • Kassagi

    A sleight-of-hand artist and pickpocket consultant to director Robert Bresson, Kassagi shows off his skills in this footage from the show “La piste aux étoiles,” originally broadcast on French television in 1962.