Cartouche

Eighteenth century France. Louis Dominique is conscripted and soldiering does not suit him; he deserts, returns to Paris and forms his own gang under the name Cartouche. His method differs from the old ones: he robs the rich, gives the people a share, and the city begins to speak of him as a hero. A woman called Venus is with him. Philippe de Broca directs. Jean-Paul Belmondo plays Cartouche and Claudia Cardinale plays Venus. The character has a real source; Cartouche was a bandit who lived in Paris at the start of the eighteenth century and about whom popular tales were told. The tone is adventure throughout. The fights are fast, the lines are witty and the violence is not taken seriously; this is de Broca's known manner. Belmondo was working at the time in both new wave films and popular adventures, and this is among his best known on the second side; his refusal of stunt doubles was made known here. It was shot in colour and on a large scale; the period sets, costume and crowd scenes are the visible investment. The narrative changes tone in the finale and the adventure suddenly turns heavy, which is the most discussed thing about it. Who it is for: viewers who like sixties French adventure and Belmondo. Who it is not for: the plot is thin, historical accuracy is not a concern, and the woman stays at the edge of the narrative.