This early film from Henri Verneuil is one of many fruitful collaborations involving the
director and the great French comic actor Fernandel. The film... [More...]
Having made a number of short films in the 1940s, Henri Verneuil began his film-making
career proper in 1951 with this, his first full-length film, adapted from a novel by Marcel
Aymé... [More...]
French cinema’s master of film comedy Fernandel is on top form in this outrageous farce,
which is based on the popular play by Emile Mazaud. The film also features Jacqueline
Bouvier (credited as Jacqueline Pagnol)... [More...]
Jules Dassin was the man who was originally slated to direct Fernandel in this lavish
gangster film parody. When he was unable to return to the United States to shoot
the film’s exterior locations scenes... [More...]
In the fourth of his nine film collaborations with director Henri Verneuil, Fernandel
gives a characteristically touching and whimsical performance as the temperamental village
baker... [More...]
Fernandel gives not one but six great comic performances in this hilarious comedy from
director Henri Verneuil (who is perhaps better known for his crime thriller than burlesque
comedies such as this)... [More...]
Despite the shameful political-incorrectness of its title and some pretty blatant sentimentality,
this is an entertaining comedy thriller which achieves a satisfying blend of B-movie gangster
fare and slapstick.
Probably... [More...]
This is a moving tale about one man’s unceasing initiative and stoical determination
to regain his freedom in the face of overwhelming odds – clearly a metaphor for
France’s struggle for freedom during... [More...]
After their great success as Don Damillo and Peppone in the Don Camillo films of the 1950s,
Fernandel and Gino Cervi are reunited in this unadventurous little comedy... [More...]
Few films stand alone on the strength of a single actor’s performance, but this is one
such film. Although Verneuil’s direction cannot be faulted and Michel Audiard’s
script is exemplary... [More...]
