The film begins with the assassination of President Marc Jarry, who is about to be inaugurated for a second six-year term of office.

Volney and his staff subsequently find many discrepancies in the official story, eventually uncovering a conspiracy between organized crime and the country's intelligence agency to assassinate president Jarry.

The EDF-GDF tower designed by architect Renzo Moro is the building from which the shots were fired to assassinate president Marc Jarry.

[1] The film was awarded the Grand prix du cinéma français for Best French Movie in 1979.

It received five César Award nominations in 1980, including Best Movie, Best Actor (Yves Montand), Best Screenplay, Best Music and Best Production Design.