Swords of Blood (1962)

In the 18th century, Louis de Bourguignon is working with the Malichot's gang, but their ways are too 'unethical' for him. He creates his own band, acting under the name of Cartouche, ... See full summary »

Director:

Philippe de Broca

Writers:

Daniel Boulanger, Philippe de Broca

Stars:

Jean-Paul Belmondo, Claudia Cardinale, Jess Hahn

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Paul Belmondo	...	Louis-Dominique Bourguignon alias Cartouche
Claudia Cardinale	...	Vénus
Jess Hahn	...	La Douceur
Marcel Dalio	...	Malichot
Jean Rochefort	...	La Taupe
Philippe Lemaire	...	Gaston de Ferrussac
Noël Roquevert	...	Le sergent recruteur
Odile Versois	...	Isabelle de Ferrussac
Jacques Charon	...	Le colonel
Lucien Raimbourg	...	Le maréchal
Jacques Balutin	...	Le moine Capucine
Pierre Repp	...	Le marquis de Griffe
Jacques Hilling	...	L'aubergiste
Paul Préboist	...	Un gendarme
René Marlic	...	Petit Oncle, le tavernier

Storyline

In the 18th century, Louis de Bourguignon is working with the Malichot's gang, but their ways are too 'unethical' for him. He creates his own band, acting under the name of Cartouche, making audacious robberies of the rich people, and even distributing the takings with the poor. Thus, cartouche attracts the people's sympathies, Venus's love, and hate from the Police and Malichot... Cartouche can escape all the traps they set at him - except the entrapments of love. Eventually, he will be saved by a woman, at her own cost.

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Plot Keywords:

18th century | robbery | france | funeral coach | funeral | 

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Taglines:

Foes fell by the score...and so do the ladies...for that man among men...that rogue among rogues...

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sixth grossing movie of the year in France.

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Alternate Versions

West German theatrical version was cut by approx. 14 minutes.

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Connections

Referenced in Les échos du cinéma: Episode #1.7 (1961)

User Reviews

Adventure , action and comedy with Jean-Paul Belmondo as a dashing adventurer hero

In the 18th century, Louis De Bourguignon nicknamed under the name of Cartouche , (Jean Paul Belmondo) is acting with the Malichot (veteran Marcel Dalio)'s band , but their manners are too unethical for him . He creates his own gang , turning into a French Robin Hood , including his Merry men (Jean Rochefort still today playing and deceased Jess Hahn) ; the thief Cartouche takes over the Parisian crime syndicate making dangerous robberies of the rich people, and even distributing the supplies with the poor people ; furthermore he falls the entrapments of love . Thus , Cartouche attracts the people's sympathies , Venus's love , and hatred from the authority and enemies . Later on , Cartouche and his partners participate in Seven Years War , France against Prussia, where are decorated and considered as heroes. Cartouche/Belmondo is cool as the adventurer who finds risked situations while trying rob the shipments and save mistress in distress . Cartouche is betrayed but he can getaway all the traps they set at him . Meanwhile , he falls in love with two women , Isabel (a ravishing Odile Versous) and his gypsy-girlfriend (a beautiful Claudia Cardinale) . Eventually , he will be saved by a girl , at her own cost .

This is an amusing film that contains noisy action , comedy , thrills , duels , audacious adventures , fencing and many other things . This is an agreeable entertainment juvenile romp well written by Daniel Boulanger , Charles Spaak and the same director Philippe de Broca . The movie displays in grandiose style swashbuckler , heroism , rousing action , swordplay , slapdash , overwhelming fights, fist-play and humor with tongue in cheek . This release has some nice and even hilarious moments here and there , though isn't always interesting , sometimes is diverting and fresh and on a couple of sympathetic occasions is frankly delicious . This adventure movie with a high budget packs breathtaking places , spectacular scenes , luxurious scenarios and amusing plot . Dashing Belmondo sports an inimitable smile while fights and loves ; as usual he combines action with comic episodes . It deals with Louis Dominique or Cartouche , splendidly performed by Belmondo , recently become a big star , he is fine as the hero of this exciting story . Jean-Paul is very nice , he ravages the screen , he jumps, leaps and bounds , hits and runs . Belmondo steals the spectacle , he's a complete show and as usual at the time he makes as his own stunts . Jean-Paul always performed all the stunts himself but ceased to do so after the accident during the filming of ¨Hold Up¨(1985) . Enjoyable acting by main star names , as a gorgeous Claudia Cardinale playing as his gypsy-sweetheart , she's in her splendor of Mediterranean beauty ; in addition Jean Rochefort and Jess Hahn as his two likable underlings . Special mention to sympathetic Marcel Dalio as roguish and mean Machilot .

It's enriched by glimmer cinematography reflecting spectacularly colorful outdoors and glamorous interiors by cameraman Christian Matras , shot on location in Aveyron, Béziers, Hérault, Guermantes, Seine-et-Marne, Lagny-Sur-Marne, Seine-et-Marne, Pézenas, and Senlis, Oise, France . Wonderful musical score by the classic George Delerue who composed a lively as well sensitive soundtrack . The motion picture was well directed by Philippe De Brocca , an expert on adventure genre , many of them starred by Belmondo , such as ¨That man from Rio¨, ¨Up to his ears¨, ¨Le Magnifique¨, ¨L'Africain¨, ¨L'incorregible¨ , ¨Le Bossu¨ and of course this ¨Cartouche¨. This standard and entertaining 6o's swashbuckling that combines with certain gusto all staples of the genre to be liked for Belmondo and Cardinale fans. Rating : Good , worthwhile watching .

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

21 July 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Картуш

Filming Locations:

La Couvertoirade, Aveyron, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmsonor, Les Films Ariane, Mondex Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1