This deliberately retro thriller from director John Frankenheimer resembles a 1970s European espionage caper in atmosphere and style, and bounds along at a cracking pace. While the action is engrossing, there's also a sobering political slant as Robert De Niro travels to Paris to join an international gang of criminals (including the always watchable Jean Reno) who have been hired by Irish revolutionary Natascha McElhone to steal an important suitcase. No excuse is missed for a frenzied car chase in the Bullitt tradition, or the chance to add a menacing hard edge to the deliciously convoluted plot. By the way, the word "ronin" is taken from a Japanese legend about 47 samurai who avenge the killing of their master and then commit mass suicide.

A briefcase with undisclosed contents – sought by Irish terrorists and the Russian mob – makes its way into criminals' hands. An Irish liaison assembles a squad of mercenaries, or 'ronin', and gives them the thorny task of recovering the case.