Product Description

In this surreal, satirical comedy, Italian director Marco Ferreri presents his take on the classic American Western, sympathizing with the Indians instead of the cowboys. This time, the Battle of Little Big Horn, the scene of General Custer's humiliating defeat by the Indians, rages at the demolished site of a formerly thriving marketplace in Paris. Starring Marcello Mastroianni as General Custer and Catherine Deneuve as his ravishing frontier gal.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #155524 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-03-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

From the back cover
In the surreal, satirical comedy Don't Touch The White Woman!, Italian director Marco Ferrreri presents his take on the classic American Western, sympathizing with the Indians instead of the cowboys. And this time the Battle of Little Big Horn, the scene of General Custer's humiliating defeat by the Indians, rages at the demolished site of a formerly thriving market place in Paris. Westerns have always played loose with the facts, but this 1973 film "is hilariously and deliberately erroneous" (Time Magazine). Marcello Mastroianni is a preening, primping General Custer who is transported to Paris in the Nineteen Seventies to clear the area of Indians. Michel Piccoli is an effeminate Buffalo Bill, who performs at Parisian nightclub, and Ugo Tognazzi is an Indian scout who runs a shop where atrocities are among the souvenirs and white women are the sweatshop labor. Catherine Deneuve is the seemingly demure frontier gal who literally picks up Custer and throws him into bed where she ravishes him before the Indians do. Recently shown in the United States for the first time, the film works on several levels. In addition to being a comedy that indulges in slapstick and sheer buffoonery, it takes a wry look at many of the political and social issues, particularly Indian genocide, that shaped America.

Customer Reviews

Subtle, pointed humor
I bought the DVD on Philrob's recommendation. I agree those who enjoy the Marx Brothers should look at this film, but I think it's more for the fan who looks beyond the surface humor of the Marx Brothers. The humor is subtle, sometimes too subtle for its own good, but it's on the mark. The production values are spartan at best, but overlook the deficiencies; this film has a lot to say. Cozy up to it with a cup of hot coffee and a discerning eye and enjoy.

You should appreciate this movie...
...a little bit more, if you knew the small facts around it: Marco Ferreri just finished shooting "La Grande Bouffe" (As well, the 4 main actors are the same as in "La Grande Bouffe") when the works for the Paris' subway RER produced a big hole in the middle of the city (Les Halles). When he saw that hole, he thought it was the most perfect stage he could get for shooting his next movie. But since he could not put the subway works on a full stop, he had to make it in a hurry, hence some shortcomings in the final output. When you'll see this one, just keep in mind that most of the scenes in this movie were almost improvised on the spur of the moment. Those who like the Marx Bros should enjoy this one.

A Satirical Take on War, History, and Culture
I was entranced by this film. Artfully taking the events of Little Big Horn and translating them into '70's (then contemporary) Paris, "Don't Touch the White Woman" manages to at once entertain, delight, and provoke. The final scene remains one of the most scatching indictments of Imperialism yet to be recorded on film. To cap it all of, Marcello Mastroianni dazzles alongside Catherine Deneuve.