Up to His Ears (1965)
"Les tribulations d'un Chinois en Chine" (original title)

Director:

Philippe de Broca

Writers:

Jules Verne (inspired by the book), Daniel Boulanger (scenario and dialogue)

Stars:

Jean-Paul Belmondo, Ursula Andress, Maria Pacôme

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean-Paul Belmondo	...	Arthur Lempereur
Ursula Andress	...	Alexandrine Pinardel
Maria Pacôme	...	Suzy Ponchabert
Valérie Lagrange	...	Alice Ponchabert
Valéry Inkijinoff	...	Mr. Goh
Joe Saïd	...	Charlie Fallinster
Mario David	...	Roquentin
Paul Préboist	...	Cornac
Jess Hahn	...	Cornelius
Jean Rochefort	...	Leon
Darry Cowl	...	Biscoton

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

suicidal tendency | white bra and panties | nepal | hong kong | failed suicide | 

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Taglines:

Up the Himalayas... Up the Yang-tze... Up in a balloon... Up-stage with a stripper... Up-town in Hong Kong... You can't keep a great adventurer down

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Genres:

Comedy | Adventure

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Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

4 December 1965 (France)

Also Known As:

Chinese Adventures in China

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Ariane, Les Productions Artistes Associés, Vides Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

10th-highest-grossing movie of the year in France.

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Connections

Featured in L'Homme de Hong-Kong (2013)

User Reviews

French Style 60's Romp...

I saw this when it was shown recently on TCM, because I have enjoyed Jean Paul Belmondo's films, particularly "The Burglars". Also this film had supposedly provided some inspiration for the "Indiana Jones" films.

Belmondo is a playboy type, living on a ship, who is propelled into an adventure. There is no logical plot to speak of, just a continuous series of madcap events. Some incidents are entertaining, and others less so, but in any event the movie is best viewed with the brain set in neutral. The scenes involving a balloon and also the escapades on scaffolding are particularly amusing.

Inspiration maybe, but comparisons to "Indiana Jones" would seem to be superficial. This movie is more light hearted, and Belmondo is more of a bumbler than a fearless adventurer. There is a scene with a vine bridge across a canyon, which was also part of "Temple of Doom's" plot, but that aside there are no obvious similarities.

Ursula Andress however, appears on a beach in a white bikini very similar to the one she wore in "Dr. No".

In summary, this is not bad if you don't mind a scattered but creative plot. See this if you have the chance just for the experience. It's fun, but not quite for everyone.

K-Rating: 5/10