Product Description

The gendarme Ludovic Cruchot is an ambitious man. So, when he is transferred to the laid-back post of Saint-Tropez, he sees an ideal opportunity to advance his career. Everything goes as planned until his daughter has a little too much fun on the beach...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21220 in VHS
• Released on: 1994-07-12
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, Subtitled, NTSC
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 80 minutes

From the Director
Jean Girault worked frequently with Louis de Funes. He directed each of the six films in the 'Gendarme' series, as well as the de Funes films "Les Grandes Vacances" (1967) and "L'Avare" (1980). He also directed Jean Gabin's last film, "L'Annee Sainte" (aka Pilgrimage to Rome, 1976).

About the Actor
LOUIS DE FUNES (1914-1983) is hailed around the world as the European king of comedy. He began in the 'music-halls' and cabarets of Paris and then graduated to supporting roles in films, becoming a well-known character actor in the 1940s and 1950s. Finally in 1963 he had a hit film of his very own with "Pouic-Pouic", and from there he became the top French comic of the decade. Some of his best known films: "Le Corniaud" (aka The Sucker, 1965), "La Grande Vadrouille" (aka Don't Look Now... We've Been Shot At, 1966) and "The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob" (1973). This is the film that began the popular 'Gendarme' series (1964-1982). In 1960s France, the image of Saint-Tropez as a city was epitomized by two things: the playful sexuality of Brigitte Bardot; and Louis de Funes' rigid, uptight 'Gendarme' character. Watch for the scene where de Funes tries to arrest the denizens of a nude beach. A comedy classic!

About the Director
Jean Girault

Customer Reviews

For Fans of Peter Sellers, Jackie Chan, Jerry Lewis, Chaplin
"Le Gendarme De Saint-Tropez," as subtitled in English, is a fine display of the comedic style of Louis de Funes.

Like Peter Sellers, Jackie Chan and Jerry Lewis, and even Charlie Chaplin, de Funes' humor is in his missteps just as it is his choreographed moves. They all share a thread of technique that, though their genres are different, are similarly funny.

This farce has de Funes acting as Ludovic Cruchot, a local police officer who receives a promotion.

Cruchot and his daughter move to where the new job is and try to fit in. He tries to achieve great discipline with his new men, and for a while, earns their respect. His daughter, however, wants to impress some of the wealthier neighbors and flirt with their sons, and claims Cruchot has a huge yacht. This lark leads him to mixed up with the high rollers of the town, and also, unknowingly with a few art thieves.

What ensues is tremendous, but hilarious confusion, as Cruchot tries to keep his daughter's ruse while avoiding his boss' catching him, and somehow deal with the art thieves.

Can Cruchot pull all of this off without getting in trouble? It does not seem so, as things go wrong unexpectedly. Cruchot squirms and wriggles, and it works almost 30 years later.

Although it is subtitled from French in English, the humor comes through. Surely the French speakers will find it funnier, but it is still a film worth recommending.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Pure comedy mixing slapstick and wit.
I saw this film in the late sixties and never forgot how much it had made me laugh from the moment it began until it ended. I only recently had the opportunity to view it again and, again, it had the same effect on me. In similar Peter Sellers style, with added French flambuoyance, Louis de Funes is a master at comedic expression!

Classic French humor spoofing naturists
If you've had any experience with clothing-optional beaches, you'll likely get a hoot out of this film. The DVD version does not have English sub-titles, however, and it's hard to tell why that's the case. Find a VHS version if you want to read in English what's said in French.