The movie is pretty good during the surveillance part. After observing their target for years, finally when they decide to kill him, they mess it up. Target comes alone unarmed and 4 of them hide in the cellar waiting for him. Result, target escapes killing/injuring 2 of them. Later, on of them says they should have attacked him instead of hiding in the cellar.

Highly unusual and original noir like thriller directed by Philippe Condroyer and starring Jean-Louis Trintignant. For the director this would be more or less his only film, not so the young actor who even here is often acting with facial expression alone. This is a tight and compelling thriller set in late sixties Barcelona as a group of nazi chasers are trying to prove they have the right man under their surveillance. Indeed much of the first part of this film is seen in black and white as we too watch the surveillance footage as the man in their sites goes about his daily business. Much tension, much suspense and for what must have been a very low budget affair, a fascinating, realistic and involving drama. Despite the unusual concept and the effective dialogue, however, it is Trintignant who helps lift this film to what should be cult status but for some reason it remains little seen. If it had been set in Paris, perhaps instead of a drop and developing Spanish city. In any event a very worthwhile watch.

Every once in a while, I come across a movie that tries - sometimes successfully, sometimes not - to get away with nothing happening in it for the most part; "Un Homme à Abattre" is one such movie. About 80% of the running time concerns tracking and surveillance; now, I'm sure tracking and surveillance can be cinematic sometimes....but this is not one of those times. Valerie Lagrange is second-billed, but her part is small and useless - only there to fill the female quota. The film is not badly directed, though, so I give it ** out of 4 stars.