Astérix et la surprise de César (1985)

Directors:

Gaëtan Brizzi
Paul Brizzi

Writers:

René Goscinny (comic) &
Albert Uderzo (comic) ...

Release Date:

11 December 1985 (France)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

Beating down a path to Rome!

Plot:

Obelix falls for a new arrival in his home village in Gaul, but is heartbroken when her true love arrives to visit her...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Gladiator | Julius Caesar | Asterix | Rescue

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Roger Carel	...	Asterix (voice)
Pierre Tornade	...	Obelix (voice)
Pierre Mondy	...	Caius (voice)
Serge Sauvion	...	Cesar (voice)
Henri Labussière	...	Panoramix (voice)
Roger Lumont	...	Briseradius (voice)
José Luccioni	...	(voice)
Michel Barbey	...	Vinpetimus (as Michel Barbet)
Paul Mercey	...	(voice)
Yves Barsacq	...	(voice)
Pierre Mirat	...	Le cuisinier (voice)
Edmond Bernard	...	(voice)
Séverine Morisot	...	(voice)
Paul Bisciglia	...	(voice)
Henri Poirier	...	Le chef de camp / Le Romain au long discours (voice)

Also Known As:

Asterix Versus Caesar (USA)

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | West Germany:o.Al. | South Korea:All | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:S | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:U

Company:

Gaumont International

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#31.12)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Unknown Songs

Mix of more than one book = loss of source material = disappointment despite some good moments

Obelix develops a crush on a local girl only to find that she has a boyfriend already. When both the girl and her partner are captured by Romans and taken to the legion outpost, Asterix and Obelix set out to free them no matter what it takes. Their quest takes them into the Roman Army, across deserts, into Gladiator school and up against Julius Caesar himself.

Where most of the Asterix films are iffy, those that stay close to the books can't really go wrong. Most do and are OK but some don't and suffer from it. This is a mix of at least two books – Asterix the Legionnaire and Asterix v;s Caesar and hence it isn't as good as either book as it has some new material. However it's not terrible and much of the wit of the original(s) comes through.

The animation is also better and has depth and shadow in it, although at times the colours leave much to be desired. Even the character voices are better than usual – although Obelix still gets done as a childish buffoon! This is a minor complaint however and the majority of it is good.

Overall, it's not terrible but the mix of stories and the wandering away from source will annoy many fans. Oh and it opens and closes with the cheesyiest Euro-pop ever….nasty!