Fanfan la Tulipe (1952)

Swashbuckling adventures of young army recruit Fanfan la Tulipe during the reign of King Louis XV in 18th Century France.

Director:

Christian-Jaque

Writers:

René Wheeler (original scenario), René Fallet (original scenario)

Stars:

Gérard Philipe, Gina Lollobrigida, Marcel Herrand

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Philipe	...	Fanfan La Tulipe (as Gérard Philipe du Théatre National Populaire)
Gina Lollobrigida	...	Adeline La Franchise
Marcel Herrand	...	Louis XV
Olivier Hussenot	...	Tranche-Montagne
Henri Rollan	...	Le maréchal d'Estrée (as Henri Rollan de la Comédie Française)
Nerio Bernardi	...	La Franchise
Jean-Marc Tennberg	...	Monsieur Lebel (as Jean Marc Tennberg)
Geneviève Page	...	La marquise de Pompadour
Sylvie Pelayo	...	Henriette de France
Lolita De Silva	...	La dame d'honneur (as Lolita de Silva)
Irène Young	...	Marion
Georgette Anys	...	Madame Tranche-Montagne
Hennery	...	Guillot
Lucien Callamand	...	Le maréchal de Brandebourg
Gil Delamare	...	Un soldat

Storyline

Fanfan is a handsome young peasant. He joins the army to escape a forced marriage and because a gypsy girl predicted he will earn glory and the king's daughter as a wife. But the 'gypsy' girl was in fact Adeline, the daughter of the recruiting officer. Once he has discovered the stratagem, Fanfan refuses to forget this dream and decides to fulfill the destiny of the fake prediction. Fantastic swashbuckling adventures in a 18th Century setting, with a light criticism of the war and the mighty.

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Plot Keywords:

fortuneteller | french army | king louis xv | adventure hero | council of war | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #451.

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Goofs

Fanfan's white trousers get dirty from falling off a horse, but in the next scene they are clean.

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Connections

Featured in Stars of the Silver Screen: Gina Lollobrigida (2017)

User Reviews

Fanfan La Tulipe

Fanfan la Tulipe is a 'swashbuckler, romantic comedy' set during the French revolution. Filmed in 1952, the film was a great success in French cinema which then coined the years of swashbuckler classics. The film revolves around a central character 'Fanfan la Tulipe' who has himself a reputation, not just for being a noisy and boastful swordsman (a swashbuckler) but the audience also gets the impression very early on in the film that he is somewhat of a hit with the ladies. This is then emphasised a couple of minutes into the film, when he alludes himself into thinking that he will marry the King's daughter. Fanfan la Tulipe is a very liberal character who rarely abides by the rule of others, and instead chooses to do his own thing.

The film commences with a narrative like style, which is carried on throughout the film. The main narration happens at the beginning and at the end of the film, but occasionally in the middle of the film we hear the narration once again, sometimes helping the viewer to tell what is going on, and directing the view to certain objects in the scene. In a way it summarises what is going to happen in the next part of the film.

The film does not leave any long lasting impression on one's mind after you have seen it, but all in all it is a very easy film to watch. The not so subtle wit from nearly all the characters, and the unperturbed nature of Fanfan La Tulipe (even in the most difficult of situations) help to make this film the unchallenging piece of cinema that it is.

Having said that, albeit an easy film to watch, it is an important film of its time, and also a great source of amusement.

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

French

Release Date:

4 May 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fanfan la Tulipe

Filming Locations:

Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,070, 23 July 2006

Gross USA:

$30,590

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,590

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amato Produzione, Filmsonor, Les Films Ariane

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1