The Adventures of Gerard (1970)

Based on satirical short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about a vain, egotistical Etienne Gerard, a French brigadier serving during the Napoleonic Wars. He thinks he's the best soldier and lover that ever lived and intends to prove it.

Director:

Jerzy Skolimowski

Writers:

H.A.L. Craig (scenario), Arthur Conan Doyle (based on the "Brigadier Gerard" stories by) (as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Stars:

Peter McEnery, Claudia Cardinale, Eli Wallach

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter McEnery	...	Col. Etienne Gerard (Hussars of Conflans)
Claudia Cardinale	...	Teresa, Countess of Morales
Eli Wallach	...	Napoleon Bonaparte
Jack Hawkins	...	Marshal Millefleurs (Renegade English Officer)
Mark Burns	...	Col. Russell (Coldstream Guards)
Norman Rossington	...	Sgt. Papilette (Hussars of Conflans)
John Neville	...	Duke of Wellington
Paolo Stoppa	...	Santarem, Count of Morales
Ivan Desny	...	Gen. Lassalle
Leopoldo Trieste	...	Marshal Henri Massena
Aude Loring	...	Madeleine
Carlo Delle Piane
Ugo Fangareggi	...	(as Ugo Pangareggi)
Véronique Vendell	...	Young Woman in Hay
John Bartha

Storyline

During the Napoleonic Wars of 18th century Europe a French Hussars Colonel is entrusted by Napoleon to be his special messenger.The colonel is sent to meet French Marshal Massena who is besieging a Spanish fortress occupied by British forces and give Massena a secret dispatch from the Emperor.Colonel Gerard accepts the task and prepares himself for any type of enemy or obstacle barring his way to Morales Fortress.The only kind of enemy Colonel Gerard is not prepared for is a beautiful Spanish seductress in the person of Spanish Countess Theresa Morales.Countess Morales is the leader of the local Spanish guerrilla forces fighting alongside the British against Napoleon.Her secret task is to seduce Colonel Gerard in order to steal the secret dispatches he carries for Marshal Massena.Not only French Colonel Gerard but also British Colonel Russell falls for her Spanish charms.The two rivals are ready to duel each other to death for Countess Theresa Morales' love and for their respective ...

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Plot Keywords:

briton | army | military officer | french | saber | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | History | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of two films based on a story and/or characters by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that were released in 1970. The other was The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970).

User Reviews

Stop this movie, I want to get off!

Except for the easily entertained, who should always be ignored for their obvious stupidity, this film is a lumbering bore. McEnery is saddled with the hideously written title character who annoys one and all from the first scene to the last. He is that old standby: the oblivious vainglorious military schmuck. The adventures he engages in are more like antics, with lots of frantic activity in a vain attempt to provide humor. But Gerard is such an unwavering clod that he becomes tiresome very quickly, yet you're stuck with him until the end of this fiasco (that is if you decide to keep watching). Cardinale is quite fetching, as always, and Wallach tries as Napoleon, but the script lets them all down. The story is some dull nonsense about Napoleon in need of an idiot officer to bring a false dispatch to the enemy to wreak havoc. Gerard gets the thankless job but becomes an unexpected hero as the story unwinds. Quite predictable. It all takes place during Napoleon's war in Spain, but this is NOT something to look at if you're a fan of the 'Sharpe' series by Cornwell that takes place in the same venue. This film was barely released, deservedly, and remains fitfully buried to this day. Hopefully no where near Conan Doyle's final resting place.

Details

Country:

UK Switzerland

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 July 1970 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Adventures of Gerard

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sir Nigel Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1