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 proves his skills are still intact.