O Ás dos Ases

This is an amusing film that contains hilarious scenes , noisy action , suspense , thrills , dogfighting and may other things . Beginning in the air over the Western Front during 1916 , where ever shows up a young corporal Hitler , the picture moves from Paris to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin . It is a highly entertaining caper set in WWII Germany , where our hero , Jo (Jean Paul Belmondo), must help some pursued Jews and a little boy called Simon Rosenblum and being reluctantly supported by a journalist (Marie France Pisier) and a Nazi officer who became his friend in World War I , during their period as contender pilots . Meanwhile , Gestapo and Nazi troops on their heals . The French boxer named Jo Cavalier is charmed by a kid who asks his autograph on the train to Berlin for the Olympics in Hitler's Germany ; when he results to be a Jewish child ; as Jo attempts to save Simon and his family . Later on , there take place several adventurous escapes to Switzerland and chased by nasty Nazis until that the group arrives in a countryside mansion which turns out to be the Hitler (Gunter Meisner) refuge -Berchtesgaden- .

This fun movie packs thrills , emotion , intrigue , exciting flying scenes , lively performances , spectacular WWII planes and a moving finale . The film includes documentary footage of 1936 Berlin Olympic Games and images about American sprinter Jesse Owens . In this action comedy Belmondo steals the show , as he runs , bounds and leaps ; he jumps over balcony , cars and executes his own stunts , braving impossible odds in roller coaster-style . Enjoyable acting by main star names , Jean Paul Belmondo and Marie-France Pisier as Gaby , an attractive reporter . Special mention mention to Gunter Mesneir in a double role as Adolf Hitler / Angela Hitler , he is frankly hilarious as Hitler's jealous sister . Sympathetic acting by the young boy Rachid Ferrache , he is an adorable young fan as well as a Jewish orphan in danger of persecution . But Belmondo steals the spectacle , as usual at the time , he runs , hits , bounds and leaps ; Belmondo makes as his own stunts as well as Jackie Chan , he jumps over buildings , drives rapidly automobiles and pilots planes . Because of its huge advertising campaign on bill boards and in metro stations 25 French critics called moviegoers to boycott L'As Des As . They argued that Belmondo would displace smaller, more important movies like Jacques Demy's Une Chambre in Ville. Then , Belmondo said in an interview: "Critics say that my movies won't last. Who cares? I live now."

Jolly and enjoyable musical score by Vladimir Cosma , including catching leitmotif . Colorful as well as atmospheric cinematography by Xaver Schwarzenberger . The picture was successful at box office , ranking second highest grossing movie of its year in France beaten only by E.T. Broke the opening admissions record in Paris selling 463,028 tickets in its first week , a record at the time . The motion picture was well directed by Gerard Oury . He was a good actor , writer and director expert on comedy . Gérard Oury was born 1919 in Paris as Max-Gérard Houry and died in 2006 Saint-Tropez , he was married to Michèle Morgan . Being especially known for The escape (1978) , The mad adventures of Rabbi Jacob (1973), Delusions of Grandeur (1971) , The sucker (1965) , The Great Stroll (1966) and Lévy et Goliath (1986) .L'as Des as" or "Ace of Aces" resulted to be one of his best films . Worthwhile watching .

"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.

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.

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.

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!!!