The Great Spy Chase (1964)
"Les Barbouzes" (original title)

A cold-war spy parody. After the death of an armaments manufacturer, an international group of spies is drawn into a high-stakes battle of wits to obtain the valuable military patents which... See full summary »

Director:

Georges Lautner

Writers:

Michel Audiard (dialogue), Albert Simonin

Stars:

Lino Ventura, Francis Blanche, Bernard Blier

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lino Ventura	...	Francis Lagneau
Francis Blanche	...	Boris Vassiliev
Bernard Blier	...	Eusebio Cafarelli
Mireille Darc	...	Amaranthe
Jess Hahn	...	Le commodore O'Brien
André Weber	...	Rossini
Louis Arbessier	...	The Swiss colonel
Jacques Balutin	...	Le douanier (scenes deleted)
Françoise Giret	...	Mme Pauline
Violette Marceau	...	Rosalinde
Anne-Marie Blot
Yves Elliot
Jean-Pierre Moutier	...	(as J.P. Moutier)
Jean-François Régnier	...	(as J.F. Régnier)
Michel Duplaix	...	Le barbouze avec Fiduc

Storyline

A cold-war spy parody. After the death of an armaments manufacturer, an international group of spies is drawn into a high-stakes battle of wits to obtain the valuable military patents which have been inherited by the lovely widow.

---

Plot Keywords:

spy | widow | nudity | cult film | cult film | 

---

Taglines:

RUN...love takes you where the spies are...PURSUE...women who are curved like weapons...Hide...with the one you seek...and the sparks fly upward...

---

Genres:

Comedy | Action | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

May 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Great Spy Chase

Filming Locations:

Chateau de Vigny, Val-d'Oise, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Corona Cinematografica, S.N.E. Gaumont, Sicilia Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

References From Russia with Love (1963)

User Reviews

So ridiculous it's funny

"Les Barbouzes" starts with a guy killing a guy, then getting killed by another guy, who is killed by a fourth guy, who is soon killed by yet another guy, who is taken out by a last guy, who then protects the guy all the previous guys were trying to kill. Either this will make you laugh your head off, or shake your head at how ridiculous it is. But as the film moves on, you see that it's really all about the ridiculousness of it all. Once you accept that, "Les Barbouzes" is a hilarious and fun ride.

The performances, though no Oscar magnet, are suitable to the film. The actors focus more on the lines than anything else, for it is the witty dialogue that drives the film.

The film is in Black & White, which might have some people scratching their heads, but it really works for the film, in a roundabout sort of way. The film is not a satire as it may first seem, but a spoof. Besides, the colour would add a realism which this ridiculous film doesn't need.

All in all, it's worth renting "Les Barbouzes", and having a nice laugh. It is by no means a great film, but it is a fun film. So, if you're in a lighthearted mood, go see it!