O Incrível Exército Brancaleone

Thanks to the french-speaking TV networks of my country (Canada), I litterally grew up with commedia all'italiana - Italy's crazy explosion of satirical comedies (1955-1980). Soon the "quartet of monsters" - Gassman, Manfredi, Sordi, Tognazzi - became my favourite comic stars. But when it comes to L'Armata Brancaleone, it is only two years ago that I finally found this movie, after a decade and a half of frentic research. The old Italian guy who sold me the (used) videocassette for 50 $ thinks he outsmarted me. No he did not! Even for a 1000 $, it would still be a bargain! For L'Armata Brancaleone is no less than a miracle of comic invention. The visceral power of this farce defies any superlatives I could find. Vittorio Gassman's performance as Brancaleone can only be compared to the greatest comics of the century. For their work on this film, scripters Age & Scarpelli, director Mario Monicelli and the whole team down to the most humble go-fer would deserve an enormous trophy.

"L'Armata Brancaleone" is an absolute comedy masterpiece. Its surreal medieval world is incredibly deep and funny. The story is summarized here at IMDB, so it's not necessary to repeat it. The main comic device is based on the contrast between the heroic world that the charachters try to master (paladins, knights' tournaments, kings etc) and their actual miserable conditions. The only problem with this movie for non-italian speakers is the language: the authors re-created a mock medieval language (using ancient italian, latin and italian dialects) which is absolutely flamboyant. This particular language (very difficult to understand if you're not italian native speaker) and Vittorio Gassman make this movie one of the best comedies of the 20th century. Thanks to Mario Monicelli, the great film director.

I have seen this movie when it first came out in Germany in a dubbed version. I went back several times I liked it so much, great comedy, great acting and entertainment. After all this years I started searching on the web, because nobody in America seems to have ever heard of this movie. So far I only found an old German dubbed copy, but I look forward to finally see the original version. I have seen many movies in my time, but Brancaleone seems to always come to my mind when I think of comedy and middle ages. The Monty Python can not reach this one.

I take the risk of annoying most people but it must be said: in order to get the full flavour of the fun in this movie you should have a really good knowledge of the Italian language, and view the film in original. It is hard even for an Italian to understand some of the dialogues, while they rapidly switch from Gassman's impeccable proto-Italian with strong Latin influences (spoken in such a serious manner as to result irresistibly comic), to Abacuc's Jewish version thereof, to the other characters' strong rural poor-man's accent.

In this movie, and in the delectable sequel "Brancaleone alle Crociate", Gassman is at the top of his skill as an actor. This is somehow like acting the "Fifteen Minutes Hamlet" without even remotely smiling, but giving a serious, professional performance. Only someone who is truly great can do the buffoon like this without appearing histrionic, or ridiculous.

It is difficult to export this movie outside Italy, in particular because much of the amusement lies in the funny language used, a mix of italian dialects and mock middle-age latin. Anyway, it would be yet a good choice for everyone. It may remember Monthy python's 'Holy Grail', as a surrealistic medieval comedy. Only, this is way better. It is no surprise, considering that we have two great authors, a great director, and a group a great actors. And the word 'great' is no exaggeration! If you ever get a chance to see it, don't miss it, because it's unique.