San Antonio (2004)
"San-Antonio" (original title)

While a terrorist epidemy strikes the world leaders, the commissaire San-Antonio and his partner, the lieutenant Bérurier, have to escort the French ambassador in a British hotel. But after... See full summary »

Director:

Frédéric Auburtin

Writers:

Frédéric Dard (novels), Laurent Touil-Tartour

Stars:

Gérard Lanvin, Gérard Depardieu, Lucy Harrison

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Lanvin	...	Antoine San-Antonio
Gérard Depardieu	...	Lieutenant Alexandre-Benoît Bérurier
Lucy Harrison	...	La masseuse
Patrick Médioni	...	Van Gogh
Valeria Golino	...	L'Italienne / The Italian woman
Marc Faure	...	Son Excellence
Michèle Bernier	...	Berthe Bérurier
Marie-Thérèse Arène	...	Félicie
Bill Barclay	...	L'Écossais
Nick Hobbs	...	Lord Kensington
Michel Galabru	...	Achille, le chef de la police (chief of police)
Vanessa Guedj	...	La soubrette
Robert Hossein	...	Le ministre de l'intérieur / The Minister
Guilhem Pellegrin	...	Le secrétaire de l'Elysée
Jérémie Renier	...	Toinet San-Antonio (San-Antonio's son)

Storyline

While a terrorist epidemy strikes the world leaders, the commissaire San-Antonio and his partner, the lieutenant Bérurier, have to escort the French ambassador in a British hotel. But after a negligence of Bérurier (one more little sex affair...), San-Antonio witnessed, helpless, to the ambassador's abduction, organized by a gorgeous Italian girl. Back to Paris, San-Antonio is dismissed by the police chief, Achille Hachille. A real godsend for Bérurier, who get promoted... But soon, the situation degenerates, when the president of the Republic mysteriously disappears. Immediate reaction from Police Minister : San-Antonio is the only one who can save the day. He has 48 hours and a secret squad to find the president. At the Elysée, San-Antonio finds Bérurier, the official investigator. But now, it's every man for himself : who will be the first to find the President ? There are multiple trails: terrorists, unscrupulous banks, international dealers, dishonest politicians, pretty woman ...

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Plot Keywords:

paris france | italian woman | based on novel

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Genres:

Comedy | Action

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Details

Official Sites:

Pathé [fr]

Country:

France Italy UK

Language:

French English

Release Date:

21 July 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

San Antonio

Filming Locations:

Bude, Cornwall, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

€30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$249,388 (France) (30 July 2004)

Gross:

$1,258,887 (Europe) (30 July 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hirsch, Pathé Renn Productions, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

'Gerard Depardieu' was the first choice to play San-Antonio, but it was obvious that he was perfect for the character of Bérurier.

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Connections

Follows San-Antonio ne pense qu'à ça (1981)

User Reviews

San Antonio is definitely not James Bond

San Antonio (2004), directed by Frédéric Auburtin, was shown at the 2005 Cinefranco Film Festival in Toronto. (www.cinefranco.com)

The film is an uninspired, weak takeoff on the James Bond movies. Bond, of course, is considered highly desirable by the attractive women he meets. San Antonio's attractions are apparently far beyond Bond's level--almost every woman he meets will do whatever San Antonio wishes just for the privilege of a few moments of bliss in his arms.

The film goes beyond being sexist--it's painfully misogynistic in a unpleasant way that I didn't find funny.

The single--but interesting--redeeming feature of the movie was the fact that San Antonio has a partner--Lieutenant Alexandre-Benoît Bérurier, played by Gérard Depardieu.

It's worth the price of admission--almost--to see Depardieu cast against type as the flabby, slothful, bumbling sidekick to the handsome, competent San Antonio.

If you can ignore the plot and concentrate on Depardieu's acting, you could possibly enjoy this film. Otherwise, stay away.