Delusions of Grandeur (1971)

In Spain of 17th century Minister of Finance try to dishonor the queen. But his plan was too much intricate.

Director:

Gérard Oury

Writers:

Gérard Oury, Danièle Thompson

Stars:

Louis de Funès, Yves Montand, Alice Sapritch

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Louis de Funès	...	Don Salluste de Bazan
Yves Montand	...	Blaze
Alice Sapritch	...	Dona Juana - la duègne
Karin Schubert	...	La Reine / The Queen
Alberto de Mendoza	...	Le Roi / The King
Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón	...	Un Grand d'Espagne
Eduardo Fajardo	...	Un Grand d'Espagne
Antonio Pica	...	Un Grand d'Espagne
Joaquín Solís	...	Un Grand d'Espagne (as Joachim Solis)
Venantino Venantini	...	Del Basto
Gabriele Tinti	...	Don Cesar
Paul Préboist	...	Le muet
Sal Borgese	...	Le borgne (as Salvatore Borgese)
Astrid Frank
Robert Le Béal	...	(as Robert Le Beal)

Storyline

Don Salluste, a petty tyrant in his own home and minister of the King of Spain, falls from grace. Wanting revenge, he tries to compromize the Queen with his valet Blaze, introduced as his cousin. But poor Blaze gets stuck with a rather repulsive duenna, who is madly in love with him and very keen on getting her way. This wild comedy takes off at a dashing pace set by the De Funes, Montand and Sapritch trio.

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Plot Keywords:

male objectification | time bomb | reference to diego velazquez | 17th century | tax collector | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | History

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

France Spain Italy West Germany

Language:

French German

Release Date:

13 December 1971 (France)

Also Known As:

Delusions of Grandeur

Filming Locations:

Palace of Charles V, Alhmabra Palace, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont International, Mars Film, Coral Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gérard Oury planned to give the role of Blas to Bourvil. But as Bourvil died in 1970, Yves Montand ultimately got it...

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Connections

Featured in Louis de Funès ou Le pouvoir de faire rire (2003)

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Soundtracks

Arrivée Du Roi A L'Escorial
Written and Performed by Michel Polnareff

User Reviews

A brilliant parody

"Delusion of grandeur" is a brilliant parody, full of amazing inventions, inspirated by "Ruy Blas", the part written by Victor Hugo. Louis de Funes, Alice Sapritch and Yves Montand create an everending movement, a splendid dynamic of humour : they are dign of the best artists of burlesque.Moreover, the music composed by Michel Polnareff is one of the most expressive illustration composed for a sophisticated and spectacular bubble of happyness. In fact, Gerard Oury, the laughing emperor of french comedies and his daughter, Daniele Thompson, had created a splendid miracle : they had permitted, that spanish frenzy and classical elegance had been associated, to offer a fascinating panorama of slapstick country. Yes, "Grandeur" stays the best word to describe this strange alchimy, which catchs the ludicrous vanities of human being, to transform them into jewels of non-sense. "Il est l'or, Monsignor"...