Fantasia Among the Squares (1971)
"Fantasia chez les ploucs" (original title)

Director:

Gérard Pirès

Writers:

Georges Beller (dialogue), Claude Miller (dialogue),

Stars:

Lino Ventura, Mireille Darc, Jacques Dufilho

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lino Ventura	...	Sagamore Noonan
Mireille Darc	...	Caroline
Jacques Dufilho	...	Oncle Noé
Jean Yanne	...	Doc Noonan
Georges Demestre	...	Le petit Billy Noonan
Georges Beller	...	Smith
Rufus	...	Wesson
Nanni Loy	...	Severance
Luigi Bonos	...	Le Sheriff
Monique Tarbès	...	Madame Horne
Pierre Huberty	...	Magoo
Philippe Ogouz	...	Un policier
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Guy Piérauld	...	(voice)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

foreign language adaptation | based on novel

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

France Egypt Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

15 January 1971 (France)

Also Known As:

Diamond Bikini

Filming Locations:

Orvinio, Rieti, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Capitole Films, Copro Films, Fidès

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Very poor adaptation.

This movie is based on the book "Bikini Diamond" by Charles Williams that has been adapted obviously for french audience with a bunch of very famous french actors (and some extras obviously not speaking french and awfully voiced over giving a strange mix). (by the way, I think the movie wasn't entirely shot in the USA, maybe not at all)

The book is one of the funniest I've ever read, which could have made a great movie. Alas the director wasn't satisfied with this and wanted to make it his own way so he added car stunts and sexy scenes. (things he has put in "taxi", 30 years later with bigger success)

The result is quite strange, Lino Ventura and Jean Yanne are not rough enough for the characters they play. Dufilho as a Noah-like prophet is OK (despite the weird accent he puts on).

The kid is awful, Mireille Darc shines and is as sexy as hell.

This movie didn't age very well. Some pointless scenes have been added that weren't in the book (maybe to reach the suitable length).

Another weird thing : modernized Beethoven's 5th for soundtrack.

For fans of Mireille Darc or Lino Ventura 3/10