L'As des as

This movie is a fine example of fun adventure, set in hard times. Belmondo plays french boxing coach, who travels to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Naturally he gets in all kind of trouble and saves a jewish family from deporation. Sound no fun? Well it is, the whole theme is played very light hearted and real fun to watch.

This must me my Belmondo's all time favorite. Off course do not take it to serious, think it is historically correct or make the mistake to think it is realistic. Step into this movie with an open mind and you get rewarded because this is AN ALL TIME FAMILY COMEDY CLASSIC.

An absolute magnificent combination of gags, jokes and fun during the Olympic Games in Berlin late 1930's. You can watch this one multiple times and it just gets better and better. Fantastic, an ultimate Comedy Movie. The part at Hitler's castle just doesn't get better than this. Outrageous.

See it, Feel It and Enjoy it like I have done so many times. A winner!!!

"The Ace of Aces," known as "L'as des as" in French, is a World War II action-comedy film directed by Gérard Oury and released in 1982. Starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, this French-German co-production offers a blend of thrilling aerial combat sequences, slapstick humor, and heartfelt moments against the backdrop of wartime Europe.

Set in 1943, the film follows the adventures of Jo Cavalier (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a French boxing champion turned bomber pilot in the Free French Air Force. Jo's life takes a dramatic turn when he is tasked with transporting a precious cargo to Casablanca - a chimpanzee named Bimbo, who is trained to communicate with Allied intelligence.

At its core, "The Ace of Aces" is a rollicking adventure that combines elements of action, comedy, and drama to create an entertaining cinematic experience. Gérard Oury's direction infuses the film with energy and excitement, particularly during the exhilarating aerial combat sequences that showcase the bravery and camaraderie of Jo and his fellow pilots.

Jean-Paul Belmondo delivers a charismatic performance as Jo Cavalier, imbuing the character with charm, wit, and a sense of derring-do. Belmondo's natural charisma and physicality shine through in the film's comedic moments and action-packed set pieces, making Jo a memorable and endearing protagonist.

Supporting performances from Marie Laforêt as the resistance fighter and Bimbo the chimpanzee add depth and humor to the film, while also highlighting the bond between humans and animals in times of crisis. The interactions between Jo and Bimbo provide some of the film's most heartwarming and humorous moments, showcasing the unlikely friendship between man and primate.

In addition to its entertaining storyline and engaging characters, "The Ace of Aces" also offers a poignant reflection on the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Amidst the chaos and danger of combat, Jo and his comrades find moments of camaraderie, courage, and sacrifice, reminding viewers of the heroism and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom during World War II.

While "The Ace of Aces" may not reach the heights of other war films in terms of historical accuracy or dramatic depth, its blend of action, comedy, and heartwarming moments make it a delightful and enjoyable viewing experience. With its thrilling aerial sequences, charismatic performances, and heartfelt message, the film stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic adventure cinema.

I don't know why but i just keep watching this movie with pleasure. Not a absolute classic, but that movie has a special "taste" that makes it so special in my eyes, and warms me in a strange way.

Not the best work of Gerard Oury, but certainly his last very good one.

Belmondo is perfect, as most other actors are.

The story is absolutely not serious, but takes place during very dark times for Europe, giving a nice message behind the good laughs that you have.

Give it a try, don't take it seriously and, if like me you are fond of Belmondo, you will certainly have a good time watching this film.

Cheers

In 1982, when he made 'L'as des as' (the English title is 'Ace of Aces') Gérard Oury was a highly regarded director in France and had also gained an international reputation with action comedy films, including the best known of them 'La Grande Vadrouille' and 'Les aventures de Rabbi Jacob', both starring the formidable comedian Louis de Funès. 'L'as des as' tried to repeat the success of these films and used the heaviest possible artillery for this purpose, casting Jean-Paul Belmondo in the lead role. However, the success was only partial. The script failed to avoid the cliches and even a dose of melodrama. There are a few good and original ideas and plenty of gags (some good, some not so good) in this film, but there also many moments when the story drags on or seems terribly obsolete, now, almost 40 years after the film was made. Belmondo is Belmondo and largely carries the film on his shoulder, but even he fails to bring 'L'as des as' more than to the level of acceptable but not necessarily memorable comedy.

The story in the film takes place in 1936, in Germany, during the Olympics, an event that in that year was used by the Nazis as an opportunity for propaganda. The hero embodied by Belmondo named Jo Cavalier is the coach of the French boxing team, but also a former air force pilot during World War I. In the air battles he had befriended the German pilot Gunther von Beckmann (Frank Hoffmann) who had in the meanwhile become a general in the army , but also an opponent of Hitler. On the train carrying the French delegation to Berlin, he meets a Jewish boy, whose family is threatened by the Nazis' policies of racial discrimination. Cavalier, together with a beautiful journalist (Marie-France Pisier) and his German friend will intervene to save the boy and his family taking them over the border to the Austria still unoccupied by fascists. Of course, not all goes as planned. The truth is that more than half of the film develops a fairly conventional story and the comedy part is not great either. The idea of the lead hero protecting the orphaned child victim of the Nazis has been explored in many films from Chaplin's 'The Great Dictator' to Benigni's 'La vitta e bella'. The final part of the film, however, holds surprises and contains the comic sequences that seemed to me the best, those that approach the satirical sarcasm of Oury's best films. The Fuhrer himself and ... his sister (a double role played by Günter Meisner) will make an appearance, which for 1982 was a novelty, at least in the comic register, anticipating Taika Waititi, plus a little revisionist history a la Tarantino. This last part saves the film in my opinion and rewards the patience of those who get to it.

Belmondo's charm dominates the film. The actor was at the peak of his popularity and in a remarkable physical shape allowing him to perform many of the stunts by himself. The role of the eternal teenager with a big heart, enlisting for good causes against all adversity fits him perfectly. The team around him does its job professionally, but the script is a bit stereotypical, with a few successful jokes (especially about the Nazis) scattered from place to place. With 'L'as des as' Gérard Oury targeted a great entertainment film to repeat his successes from previous decades. The success was mixed right from the moment the film was released and the passage of time did not improve the place of this film in its filmography.