Deux heures moins le quart avant Jésus-Christ

A great comedy from the 80's. Unfortunately it's surely hard for a non French speaker to understand all the jokes. Not to mention that the movie was released 40 years ago so it could probably hard for many to overcome prejudice about what it funny in it. Despite this, as french people, I had a great time enjoy all the references and the anachronisms. The movie could also have an interest in term of history of mentality, about what is taboo and what's need to be transgressed in the late twentieth century France. Also as gay, I found the performance of Michel Serrault hilarious, not offended as well, by the way he depict the extravaganza of a gay community, among others, in the Paris of the time the movie was released.

First, a non-French may have quite a few difficulties to detect / understand every reference (I'll take the example of the "CRS" - acronym of Roman security guards but also used to name well-known specialized police forces). Yes there are funny and well thought anachronisms. They were actually the biggest interest I found, as the movie was crowded by it, the game was to detect more than the friends you were watching it with (Don't watch it alone!)

But the movie is merely a succession of sketches, only a few funny. Overuses clichés and stereotypes. It surfs (and really a too long time) of the previous huge success Michel Serrault had with "La cage aux folles".

In a few words: comical - at some occasions, appalling - often

Despite I am a french man I can say that this movie (made to laught at the characters) is a piece of clownery: so it is pitiable! Furthermore, this film is blasphemous , free of charge, without any historical background. I am not a puritan but so many grimaces are too much for any interest! Jean Yanne, the chief of the staff had to pay taxes to the State, may be. It is an opinion, no more!

Mediocre comedy set just before the arrival of Christ. Ceasar is preparing to receive Cleopatra. But the people is not happy with Ceasar's governance. There's some good scene, like the gladiators going on strike because they want better work conditions. Funny also to see that they had television at the time! Also, the advertisement during the circus. But there's also tasteless humor in this one. I mean, come on, the whole scene with Ceasar being gay. It's so typical of the bad taste comedies from the 80's. And the scene goes on, and on, and on. I almost fell asleep. Michel Serrault's talent is wasted as Ceasar. And Coluche's character is not too inspiring neither.

Out of 100, I give it 67. That's good for *½ out of ****.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on December 10th, 2002.

This film is probably one of the best comedies shot in France in the 80's (with "Papy fait de la Résistance" by Jean-Marie Poirée), being a blend of Monty Python's humour with strong influence by Goscinny (the father of Astérix and other Franco-Belgian cartoons), especially in its use of anachronisms and burlesque humour. It also features a great cast with Coluche (playing the French average man as Ben Hur Marcel, the son of a garage man and plotter in spite of himself) and Serrault (an effeminate Cezar) at their best, and a handful of hilarious special guests (actors Darry Cowl, Paul Preboist, Michel Constantin, TV journalists Yves Mourousi and Leon Zitrone). Of course you should not expect very subtle humour here and sometimes it does not work ; moreover, this film has been intended for a French audience and it might be difficult to translate some of the jokes, whereas some situations might not ring a bell for non-French viewers. When Monty Python's "Life of Bryan" plays with the historical background, in 2h-15 it is a pure pretext for comedy. A must for Christmas time in France.