Le mouton à cinq pattes

This is the movie where the famous French comic Fernandel plays six different roles. It certainly shows his versatility. Kudos to him. Problem is, none of his six characters are amusing (though one of them, a priest who is getting confused with a movie priest, Don Camillo, also played by Fernandel in other movies, is certainly very meta!). Some fleeting female nudity (in a commercial comedy) makes you assume that the censorship laws were much more lax in France at the time, but otherwise the movie is also paced like an ancient fossil; it is strictly for Fernandel fans. *1/2 out of 4.

I am not a great comedies fan, especially French ones, but the French comedy tradition in the fifties and sixties , with the likes of Bourvil, Fernandel, Louis De Funès, was purely as excellent, terrific as the American style and the Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy period...So this very one is a great great job, given by a young future great French director: Henri Verneuil, whose filmography will certainly not be known for its comedies: LE CLAN DES SICILIENS, PEUR SUR LA VILLE, LE CASSE, MELODIE EN SOUS SOL.... So early in his career - Verneuil did not belong to the French Nouvelle Vague nor the same period film makers such as Philippe de Broca, Pierre Granier Deferre, George Lautner, Jacques Deray - So early, Verneuil showed his talent, his skills, despite the fact that he was a commercial director, not a true artist - unlike Jean-Pierre Melville, for instance. This story is stunning, thanks to Fernandel and his incredible performance. An outstanding French comedy gem.

A favourite French comedy that admirably showcases the artistry of Fernandel. The episode involving - inter alia - a fly and a most comely young lady, remains one of my fond adolescent memories of subtitled 1950's French cinema at the local cinema. Recommended if you want to revisit (or visit) a magic time in French cinema or see a great comedic artist at work in other than the Don Camillo guise most non - French viewers know.

A very good classic french comedy with famous french actors, I mean, Fernandel and Louis de Funes. Fernandel is a star here, he plays 6 different people in this film, and different people of different age! It's easy to understand what a great comedy actor he is! Funes is also play great part here... (and here he still has his hair:). This film contain many very well-filmed moments and it is,of course,a good family movie( it contains a little nudity, but it's very gentle).And in conclusion I must say that it isn't funny from A to Z, it's just a clever film that is very good for old cinema lovers...So, have a good time.And also watch Public enemy n.1 (1953) with Fernandel. It's worth a look!!! P.S (Later Mister Pitkin uses jokes and tricks that Fernandel do in this one...)

Fernandel is brilliant in multiple roles that stretch his abilities as a wonderful comedic actor with the "horse faced" grin. The story concept is clever with a delightful "surprise" conclusion, yet it is the episodic statements that give full bloom to this wonderful film; especially the sequence aboard the tramp steamer when a gambling game involves the reaction of its players to a housefly.