The underworld, with its special codes of professionalism, loyalty and betrayal, has constituted the universe of the Melville film since Bob le Flambeur (1955). Le Deuxième Souffle is one of a masterly trio of policiers made by Melville in the Sixties (including Le Samourai and Le Doulos) in which he explores the existential world of the gangster. Aging gangster Gustave ("Gu") Minda escapes from prison into an underworld society of professional thieves, killers and cops that has functioned without him for ten years. Invited to participate in a heist, he reluctantly agrees and proves his skills are still intact. But an accusation that he has betrayed his cohorts to the police proves his undoing; only the "correct" action of the policeman on the case can clear his name. Honor among thieves, and a bond between the intelligent crook and the smart cop, are identifiable trademarks of the Melville policier, as emblematic as the familiar American gangster film conventions he honors. But Melville isolates all of this in an austere visual style, while the characters remain impassive in the extreme. If there is loyalty, even love, between these men, they are not allowed one luxury: trust. Melville himself has stated, "I'm a tremendous believer in friendship... But I believe that betrayal is one of the basic motivations behind men's actions--much more than love" (in Rui Nogueria's "Melville").