Fantomas

first, it is expression of a long and solid tradition of French comedy. second, it is a brilliant demonstration of the wise use of clichés of a genre for a fascinating work. third, it reminds the genius of an impeccable art of Louis de Funes, the flavor of a time, the seduction of Jean Marais, the fine mix between action, humor and cultural references. a film who reminds more than presents. because , part of an easy genre, it is made with beautiful precision. its atmosphere remains seductive after a half of century. it remains a lesson of cinema in front with contemporary comedies/action films. short, a delight. nostalgic, nice, touching. and a character who seems be symbol of dark fears and secret fascination of bad.

This is a freewheeling fun narrative. Weeeeeeee. Funny parts along with the things happening.

11/19 p.s. This is a technical marvel of a flick that shows motorcycles in a chase sequence as they crash and riders flip through the air like out of The Road Warrior from predating the same type of action being done here way before.

It was wonderful for me to discover this classic French gem so late.

Why?

Because I was brought up on 007, and Fantomas harks back to early Bond in many ways: Thematically, musically, visually. But whereas Bond films perpetrate English rational thinking and ironic humor, Fantomas goes the French way: Farce, sexyness, and ...Louis DeFunés!!!

We are nearer to comic- book villainy here.

We also notice that lots of FRANCS were put where the Brits put their POUNDS. By this I don't doubt for a minute that by showing off Paris and the French Riviera the French government certainly wished to rival Britain's skilfully propaganda operation perpetrated by Bond films. (Let's not forget that Ian Fleming, who authored the books, was a British agent).

But though Marais has much of Roger Moore's (a future Bond) suave appeal, it is the zany, manic DeFunés who steals the show...turning the film into something hard to classify. In fact he single-handedly wreaks havoc, and triggers off material for Peter Sellers' future inventions like Inspector Clouseau (of the Suretée).

The stunts in this film are amazing, and coarsely riveting. Marais and elderly DeFunés pull off quite a few themselves. And the inflatable dinghy finale is so tongue-in- cheek it will have you giggling like a toddler.

Vive la Liberté!

One must travel back to the 19-Sixties to appreciate 'Fantomas' to the full.

In those days English James Bond was taking off with his second or third film, creating a hype that is exceptional in film-history right up to this day. According to the customs back then, the French came up with 'Fantomas', providing a counter-weight that made considerable impact. However, in the long run James Bond has lived on while Fantomas is by now clear history.

Watching this film for the first time since 1965 or so, one must conclude that 'Fantomas' makes a comedy, as well as a clever persiflage of the contemporary James Bond (performed by Sean Connery). Shot with the techniques available back then, catching well-acted roles by prominent French actors and actresses of those years.

For those who were not around in 1965, I fear that 'Fantomas' has not much to offer. Knowledge about the mid-Sixties is necessary to understand this film to the full.

This movies i mean the three Fantômas were an important part of my childhood back in the late 60s or early 70s, i remember how much fun was to go the movies back then in my little coastal town of Banes in the east part of Cuba with my cousin Manny, and the Fantômas movies were the biggest hit of all, any Cuban over 40 years old will tell you how much they love this movie and because this movies Mylene Demongeot the very beautiful french actress became very popular in the beginning she was another copy of Brigitte Bardot as michele Mercier or Marina Vlady and many others were but as Vlady she became star in her own right, Louis de Funes the most popular of all french actors or comedian in Cuba became an idol back then he was really funny later in my life i discovered he was of Spanish decent and Jean Marais by the time of the Fantômas movies he was at the end of his stardom and i was very surprise when i discover later in my life he was gay and at one point he was the lover of Jean Cocteau, anyway i love the Fantômas movies and forever they will remain part of my life