ÉVALUATION IMDb
6,9/10
13 k
MA NOTE
Les meilleurs hommes de France - un journaliste courageux et un commissaire très dynamique - traquent un mystérieux génie du crime.Les meilleurs hommes de France - un journaliste courageux et un commissaire très dynamique - traquent un mystérieux génie du crime.Les meilleurs hommes de France - un journaliste courageux et un commissaire très dynamique - traquent un mystérieux génie du crime.
Avis en vedette
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Fantomas novels were resurrected in the early 1960's as France's own answer to the James Bond frenzy that swept the Continent and the world. The first one of the trilogy was filmed in 1963-64 and released in 1964. This film was just Brilliant, from the acting, the super funny dialogue and to the incredible action. YES! the film had some really amazing action for its budget, make and year of release.
The opening sequence of the film is already a gas: Fantomas pulls up in a chauffeured driven Rolls Royce Silver Cloud to a fancy jeweler's store next to the Paris Ritz Hotel. His mask identifies him as a British Lord. He pays for the jewelry with a personal check and then drives off with his stunning lady friend, smiling and laughing his distinct laughter. Next, we see the check being held in the hands of the jeweler, when suddenly, the amount and signature written on it disappear (invisible ink!) and the word "FANTOMAS" appear. Pretty high-grade stuff for 1964.
Interesting to note that in all three films, the actor Jean Marais played both the criminal mastermind Fantomas and ladies man Fandor, the journalist.
I also enjoyed looking at the journalist Fandor's hip mansard apartment. Top gimmick is the rubber masks that offer Fantomas anyone's identity at will. The flying Citroen car debuted here and was used on an AMC car that flew with retractable wings 10 years later in a Bond movie.
It would be so nice to be able to get the Fantomas films on DVD here in North America.
The opening sequence of the film is already a gas: Fantomas pulls up in a chauffeured driven Rolls Royce Silver Cloud to a fancy jeweler's store next to the Paris Ritz Hotel. His mask identifies him as a British Lord. He pays for the jewelry with a personal check and then drives off with his stunning lady friend, smiling and laughing his distinct laughter. Next, we see the check being held in the hands of the jeweler, when suddenly, the amount and signature written on it disappear (invisible ink!) and the word "FANTOMAS" appear. Pretty high-grade stuff for 1964.
Interesting to note that in all three films, the actor Jean Marais played both the criminal mastermind Fantomas and ladies man Fandor, the journalist.
I also enjoyed looking at the journalist Fandor's hip mansard apartment. Top gimmick is the rubber masks that offer Fantomas anyone's identity at will. The flying Citroen car debuted here and was used on an AMC car that flew with retractable wings 10 years later in a Bond movie.
It would be so nice to be able to get the Fantomas films on DVD here in North America.
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!
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!
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.
Le saviez-vous
- AnecdotesMylène Demongeot said in her memoirs that Jean Marais was very jealous of Louis de Funès success and Marais was not so involved with the rest of the crew.
- GaffesA lot of time passed between Fantomas taken Juve and Fandor out of jail and the police finding out that they escaped. But just right after that, the police locate them with the helicopter, even though they did not know which way they took and which car they used.
- ConnexionsEdited into Operation: Secret Agents, Spies & Thighs (2007)
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- How long is Fantomas?Propulsé par Alexa
Détails
- Durée1 heure 44 minutes
- Mixage
- Rapport de forme
- 2.35 : 1
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