La spada degli Orléans
Directed by:
André HunebelleCinematography:
Marcel GrignonComposer:
Jean MarionCast:
Jean Marais, Bourvil, Sabine Sesselmann, Edmond Beauchamp, Georges Douking, Guy Delorme, Paulette Dubost, François Chaumette, Paul Cambo, Alexandre Rignault (more)Plots(1)
Set in the 18th century, this French swashbuckler centers on Lagardere (Jean Marais), an adventurer whose life is affected when he decides to help out a nobleman in distress. Lagardere's comic companion Passepoil (Bourvil) adds a light touch to the proceedings. But when the nobleman is vilely murdered by a villainous courtier, Lagardere is duty-bound to raise the victim's little daughter as though she were his own. Time goes by, though not enough to erase the memory of the murder from the adventurer's mind. He decides to disguise himself as a hunchback in order to be accepted into the faction that had the nobleman killed, and from the inside as it were, plots his revenge. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
I've read the romantic novel template four times as a teenager and The Hunchback of Paris meant adventurous entertainment for me, which today is replaced by horror movies for the appropriate age categories. Fortunately, all the genre clichés and sickly-sweet romanticizing elements are brought down by humorous lightness, thanks to which the film is more than just bearable even today. Furthermore, Jean Marais as the fearless and blameless hero proves that he was excellently suited for such typecast roles and rightfully gained the status of a star. He is aptly complemented by the born comedian Bourvil and the presence of beautiful women is naturally an integral part of the success. Today, I have a much different view of things, but I have no problem giving the film three stars. Overall impression: 60%. In its genre and from the cinema of its time, it is one of the better works.
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