La grande sauterelle (1967)

While he is trying to escape from a hit man, Carl (Hardy Krüger) is setting up a kidnapping in Beirut. He gets lost on his way, falling in love with Salène, a.k.a. "La grande sauterelle" (Mireille Darc).

Director:

Georges Lautner

Writers:

Michel Audiard, Vahé Katcha (novel),

Stars:

Mireille Darc, Hardy Krüger, Georges Géret

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mireille Darc	...	Salène
Hardy Krüger	...	Carl
Georges Géret	...	Marco (as Georges Geret)
Venantino Venantini	...	Vladimir
Pepe Aped	...	Grubert - un magnat du pétrole
Pierre Massimi
Margot Trooger	...	L'Américaine / American Woman
Mino Doro	...	Grubert
Maurice Biraud	...	Alfred
Francis Blanche	...	Gédéon

Storyline

While he is trying to escape from a hit man, Carl (Hardy Krüger) is setting up a kidnapping in Beirut. He gets lost on his way, falling in love with Salène, a.k.a. "La grande sauterelle" (Mireille Darc).

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Plot Keywords:

love | thief | casino | hitman | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

France West Germany Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

11 January 1967 (France)

Also Known As:

Diamanter från Beirut

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eichberg-Film, Franca Film, Société Nouvelle des Établissements Gaumont (SNEG)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Pour la peau d'un flic (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Il Cielo"
Written and Performed by Lucio Dalla

User Reviews

unchained liberty

The bottom line of 'La grande sauterelle' (= French for 'the big jumping-girl') is criminality. However, this is never put on heavily, and in fact only & cleverly serves to provide some coherence to this film's main theme: adventure-seeking, chasing unchained freedom, chasing the liberty to do whatever one pleases to do. Which was pretty fashionable in 1967, the year 'La grande sauterelle' was issued.

The attraction of the plot is favored considerably by its setting in Lebanon. Now don't go wrong in expecting some hippie adventure: 'La grande sauterelle' is located in expensive Lebanese hotels, tourist resorts and casino's. Pot, drugs and local Arab scenes aren't on the menu.

The big jumping girl, who carefully avoids any dullness and routine, is credibly performed by Mireille Darc. However, Darc's male partner, German-looking Hardy Kruger, makes a less happy choice. Kruger surely acts well, but differs too much in character to make a convincing match.