Les visiteurs (1993)

A medieval nobleman and his squire are accidentally transported to contemporary times by a senile sorcerer. He enlists the aid of his descendent to try to find a way to return home, all the... See full summary »

Director:

Jean-Marie Poiré

Writers:

Christian Clavier, Jean-Marie Poiré

Stars:

Christian Clavier, Jean Reno, Valérie Lemercier

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christian Clavier	...	Jacquouille la Fripouille / Jacquard
Jean Reno	...	Godefroy de Papincourt, Comte de Montmirail
Valérie Lemercier	...	Frénégonde de Pouille / Béatrice de Montmirail
Marie-Anne Chazel	...	Ginette la clocharde
Christian Bujeau	...	Jean-Pierre
Isabelle Nanty	...	Fabienne Morlot
Gérard Séty	...	Edgar Bernay
Didier Pain	...	Louis VI le Gros
Jean-Paul Muel	...	Marechal des Logis Gibon
Arielle Sémenoff	...	Jacqueline (as Ariel Séménoff)
Michel Peyrelon	...	Edouard Bernay
Pierre Vial	...	Wizard Eusebius / Monsieur Ferdinand
François Lalande	...	Priest
Didier Bénureau	...	Intern Beauvin
Frédéric Baptiste	...	Freddy

Storyline

A medieval nobleman and his squire are accidentally transported to contemporary times by a senile sorcerer. He enlists the aid of his descendent to try to find a way to return home, all the while trying to cope with the cultural and technological changes distinguishing his time from ours.

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Plot Keywords:

future | magic potion | death | murder | sword | 

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Taglines:

When an 11th century knight and his loyal servant try to go back in time, only one thing will stand in their way. The 20th century.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French English

Release Date:

12 July 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Visitors

Filming Locations:

Carcassonne, Aude, France

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 50,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$659,810 (USA) (19 July 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alpilles Productions, Amigo Productions, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

(at around 1h 04 mins) When Godefroy is on the phone to Jaquard at the bowling alley, the microphone can be seen darting about just above the clock on the mantelpiece.

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Quotes

Jacquouille la Fripouille: Don't drink it
[the potion]
Jacquouille la Fripouille: , Sire! You might turn into a frog, a bat, a goat, or a nun's arse!
Godefroy de Papincourt, Comte de Montmirail: You're right. Drink first!
Jacquouille la Fripouille: Me?
Godefroy de Papincourt, Comte de Montmirail: Let's see if you turn into a nun's arse. If you do, I'll seek revenge.

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Crazy Credits

After the final credits role, stick around for a "Hello to all you credits-lovers!" accompanied by a waving medieval knight.

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Connections

Remade as Just Visiting (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Concerto pour violon et orchestre en Mi mineur"
(Extraits)
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (as Félix Mendelsshon)
Performed by The Czech Symphony Orchestra

User Reviews

Unashamedly silly fun, okaaay?

I watched this film late at night on Channel 4 while not being able to sleep, not knowing what on earth to expect. In fact it turned out to be a delightful film, which really made me laugh and was unashamedly silly while not being specifically aimed at kids. I ended up getting it on DVD and making my friend watch it: she also thought it was great. Neither of us can speak French and while we knew the subtitles probably weren't getting all of the humour across we still found it very enjoyable. Shame it had to be remade, although I never saw the English version I'm sure it wasn't as good. Recommended!

(P.S. We were also shown some of it in French class - the teacher and I giggled throughout and no one else in the class did! So maybe an acquired taste, but I loved it!)