Le Trou normand

An unpretentious little comedy with a solid cast, particularly Bourvil in one of his first movies. He will later become one of France's best comedians. Brigitte Bardot is also playing one of her first roles, before becoming the sex symbol that we know.

Jean Boyer 's only claim to fame was "circonstances atténuantes"(1939)."Le trou normand " retains an obsolete charm ,thanks to the perfect cast:Bourvil,Jane Marken,Noel Roquevert,Brigitte Bardot,Jeanne Fusier-Gir. Village idiot inherits an inn but there's one condition :he 's got to go back to school and pass an exam!His auntie,who covets the heritage,puts a wrench in the works."Le trou normand" is the name of the valuable property.In Normandy,the "trou normand" is the little glass of calvados you sip in the middle of a gargantuan meal,to make a hole (=trou) in your stomach and to be able to carry on putting away.

This is a computer-colorized version .Brigitte Bardot's fans,you will be disappointed:she's a brunette here!

Although 'Le trou Normand' lives on as Brigitte Bardot's film-debut, I think this view an injustice to the great French actor Bourvil. It's him, in the principal role of Hyppolite, who greatly carries this rather enjoyable movie to its end.

Seventeen year old Brigitte plays a role she admittedly does not like: a not-too-sincere girl with a conceited state of mind. In spite of all that, the shape of things to come is clearly visible.

It is not one of his best roles but he plays it well. A great actor.

Here he is Hippolyte the village idiot who inherits a inn in a small town in Normandy. There is a condition, he must pass an elementary exam.

His aunt covets the heritage and will use the love of Hippolyte for her daughter Javotte ( Brigitte Bardot) to trick him and make him fail the exam.

Bourvil is supported by a great cast : Pierre Larquey, Jane Marke, Noel Roquevert etc.

And of course there is the lovely Brigitte Bardot playing the cousin Javotte. It is not here best movie either but each part where she appears is a funy one.

It is a charming old movie for all the family.

This is a very unpretentious, likeable movie.

I thought the entire cast including Brigitte Bardot did an excellent acting job. I was surprised Bardot had such a big role considering this was her first picture. No disappointment here that she's a brunette. As I remember she also ended her career as a brunette in the picture Don Juan.

It's a feel good story. It's about a lovable simpleton who goes back to elementary school. In the process he wins the hearts of virtually all the people in the small village. It's somewhat of a Forrest Gump tale but on a much smaller scale.