The Brain (1969)

When NATO transfers some of its funds from Paris to Brussels by train, a criminal mastermind posing as a British colonel plans to steal it but two petty French thieves also have the same intent.

Director:

Gérard Oury

Writers:

Marcel Jullian, Gérard Oury

Stars:

Jean-Paul Belmondo, Bourvil, David Niven

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Paul Belmondo	...	Arthur Lespinasse
Bourvil	...	Anatole
David Niven	...	Colonel Carol Matthews
Eli Wallach	...	Frankie Scannapieco
Silvia Monti	...	Sofia
Raymond Gérôme	...	Le commissaire bègue
Jacques Balutin	...	L'inspecteur Pochet
Henri Attal	...	Un homme de la bande
Yves Barsacq	...	Un gardien de prison
Jacques Ciron	...	L'inspecteur Duboeuf
Robert Dalban	...	Le policier militaire belge enrhumé
Mario David	...	Jean-François - un antiquaire
Raoul Delfosse	...	Un policier militaire belge
Tommy Duggan	...	Le superintendant Cummings
Henri Génès	...	Le gardien-chef de la prison de Poissy

Storyline

Arthur and Anatole are two little robbers. They want to rob money, money that will travel in a special train from Paris to Bruxelles. They don't know that other people have planned to do the same thing.

---

Plot Keywords:

time bomb | slapstick comedy | nickname as title | title appears in writing | character appears in newspaper | 

---

Taglines:

"The Brain" is Rocking the World with Laughter!

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French English German

Release Date:

13 November 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Brain

Filming Locations:

Carnaby Street, Soho, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$3,600,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$41,600,000, 31 December 1969

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont International, Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film has been shot in two languages (French and English) with the same cast.

---

Goofs

Halfway through the film, when the train is shot from above in the countryside the shadow of the helicopter flying over is clearly visible on the side of the rail-track.

---

Quotes

Anatole: You're not thinking of hijacking 14 nations?
Arthur Lespinasse: It's not like France is still under NATO.
Anatole: Okay. That changes everything, but...

---

Connections

Referenced in Particka: Episode #3.10 (2012)

---

Soundtracks

The Brain
Written by Georges Delerue
Performed by American Breed

User Reviews

Funny from the first to the last minute

Though it was a long time ago I watched this movie, I remember most of it and also the laughter it provided; in fact this was the time I got to know David Niven and Jean Paul Belmondo fine comedy acting. At the time I was about 15 and was getting started in the fine art of watching good movies, so this one really impressed me. . It is 60's style humor alright, if you're into special effects and high tech stuff, you may not appreciate it. I would love to see it re-released it on DVD, it is as good or better than the inspector Clouseau's Movies (and the Pink Panther, featuring David Niven too, is a fine comedy movie) Don't let it go into oblivion. If you ever watch it, prepare yourself for some good laughs.