Le Cerveau

Ah, the characters: David Niven as a British Officer/Master thief, played with his usual ironic assurance and poise, Eli Wallach as a frantic and choleric mafioso (he is a contender for Louis des Funés as the most explosive screen presence ever) and the delicious duo of Belmondo as an ambitious and inventive but somewhat hapless small time crook with Bourvil as his more cautious straight man and partner in crime.

A movie with great dialogue, fantastic pace, a swinging soundtrack and an incredible mix of physical, situational and verbal comedy - laugh-out-loud funny throughout.

If "The Brain" should really not be available on DVD this would just be further proof of how little brain these entertainment-industry executives have.

I was pleased to find this film listed, because it has floated around in the back of my movie memory for 25 years, or so. I loved it when I was a kid, it was so much fun. It was the first film with Jean-Paul Belmondo that I'd ever seen, and I thought that he was great - very cool, the epitome of 60's suave. Bourvil, his sidekick, is always worth watching, and the chemistry between him and Belmondo was hilarious (or was it?). I seem to remember David Niven putting in a fairly energetic performance, running around with his head bent over because of his super-dense brain. I thought it was all very 'groovy', and a huge laugh. But, that's just it; I haven't seen this film for years, and I can't help wondering - is it as good as I thought it was? Some things just don't stand the test of time or the drift into adulthood, and it's a sad, sobering moment when a re-watching confirms this. But, hey - I still love loads of bad films that I saw when I was a kid. Perhaps I'm too easily entertained. Hmm.

Gerard Oury is as we know the master of French comedies (he directed most of the Louis De Funes-movies) and this one brings Jean-Paul Belmondo and Bourvil into one delicious film. Don't think too much about the script and its reality-factor as a trainrobbery can never be like that but it has the fun of those typical French sixties-movies and believe me, it's a relief. It's the kind of movie you will remember for ages, especially David Niven who is called The Brain whom can be recognized by a bent over head as his IQ is too heavy (yeah it's that type of humour but it works)and as always Bourvil is superb.

The Brain is truly a French Comedy in every sense. Although sometimes bordering on the absurd, it was done with such a subtlety that it all seems comically real. In Addition to David Niven and Eli Wallach, two very know French actor/comedians, namely Bourvil and Jean Paul Belmondo, also star in this movie, making the movie complete.

The plot, A maxi Robbery by mini thieves, the many twists, the surprise ending, the Statue of liberty and a Leopard in a laundry room was all it took to make this fabulous comedy.

If you can get your hands on this movie at your local video store, don't pass it by. Though made in 1969, it has become a timeless classic.

Other Movies with Bourvil that are worth watching: La Grande Vadrouille and Le Corniaud (The Sucker)

I first saw this movie in 1971. My brother and I liked it so much that we saw it twice (we still use lines from it in conversation). Wish it would be issued on DVD. When I saw it again after a lapse of over 30 years, I was delighted to see skits I had forgotten about. This movie is stuffed full of hilarious moments. I have a badly scratched VHS version (a former rental), but it's still a lot of fun to watch. Bourvil (Anatole) and Jean-Paul Belmondo (Arthur) have some memorable bits of dialog and wonderful on-screen rapport. David Niven (Colonel Matthews) is the dashing villain with the brain, and he delivers his usual polished performance. I was never much of a fan of Eli Wallach's movies, but he's pretty good here as a gangster guarding his sister's virginity.