Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978)

Mystery abounds when it is discovered that, one by one, the greatest Chefs in Europe are being killed. The intriguing part of the murders is that each chef is killed in the same manner that... See full summary »

Director:

Ted Kotcheff

Writers:

Nan Lyons (novel), Ivan Lyons (novel)

Stars:

George Segal, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Morley

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Segal	...	Robby Ross
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Natasha
Robert Morley	...	Max
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Kohner
Philippe Noiret	...	Moulineau
Jean Rochefort	...	Grandvilliers
Gigi Proietti	...	Ravello (as Luigi Proietti)
Stefano Satta Flores	...	Fausto Zoppi
Madge Ryan	...	Beecham
Frank Windsor	...	Blodgett
Peter Sallis	...	St. Claire
Tim Barlow	...	Doyle
John Le Mesurier	...	Dr. Deere
Joss Ackland	...	Cantrell
Jean Gaven	...	Salpetre

Storyline

Mystery abounds when it is discovered that, one by one, the greatest Chefs in Europe are being killed. The intriguing part of the murders is that each chef is killed in the same manner that their own special dish is prepared in. Food critics and the (many) self-proclaimed greatest Chefs in Europe demand the mystery be solved.

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Plot Keywords:

woman wearing only a man's shirt | chef | food critic | food | murder | 

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Taglines:

A delicious mystery.

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Genres:

Comedy | Mystery | Crime

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

West Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1978 (France)

Also Known As:

Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?

Filming Locations:

Hotel Danieli, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aldrich Company, Bavaria Film, Geria Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (MGM Color)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

$180,000 of the film's budget was spent on the food. The fish market scene in Venice used roughly $3,000 worth of food.

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Quotes

Max: [to Dr. Deere, about being dangerously overweight] Cut down? I am what I am precisely because I've eaten my way to the top! I'm a work of art, created by the finest chefs in the world. Every fold is a brush stroke! Every crease a sonnet! Every chin a concerto! In short doctor darling, in my present form, I'm a masterpiece!

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Connections

Referenced in Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Probability (2003)

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Soundtracks

La Paloma
(uncredited)
Music by Sebastián Yradier
Arranged by Jack Hayes

User Reviews

The Souffle Also Rises

I dimly remembered this culinary comedy from the late 70s without

much affection, until a friend decided to bring along a video to be

shown after a Thanksgiving dinner last year. It's a great idea. Stuff

yourself and then take a movie break before dessert. Nothing too

heavy--preferably something light and frothy. I'm glad we did. This

is an adorable movie, and I don't know why it didn't strike me that

way the first time around.

Maybe it was the horrible and dated costumes designed for

Jacqueline Bissett. How does one take one of the most beautiful

women in the world, and tart her up in the most ridiculous

fur/leather thingies. She looks like a cheap Vegas dancer here.

George Segal doesn't escape either, wearing jeans looking like he

was poured into them and cowboy hats, he looks like the sweet

Jewish boy he is, playing in Daddy's clothing.

The heart of the movie is the wonderful Robert Morely, who plays a

gleefully glutinous gourmand and food editor who between bites

insults just about anyone coming towards him. Only Jacqueline

Bissett manages to escape his wrathful tongue. I'm not

complaining. Morely is a total delight as the misanthropic

epicurian monster.

The mystery isn't much of a mystery, and the chemistry between

Bissett and Segal doesn't appear to be setting off many sparks.

But you can waste your time on far worse things than this modest

delight, filmed all over Europe. The food looks great, and oh that

nasty Morely!