Asterix and the Big Fight (1989)

The druid is accidentally hit by a menhir thrown by Obelix and loses his mind and memory.

Director:

Philippe Grimond

Writers:

René Goscinny (comic), Albert Uderzo (comic)

Stars:

Roger Carel, Pierre Tornade, Henri Labussière

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roger Carel	...	Astérix / Idefix (voice)
Pierre Tornade	...	Obélix (voice)
Henri Labussière	...	Panoramix, le druide (voice)
Julien Guiomar	...	Le devin Prolix (voice)
Henri Poirier	...	Abraracourcix - Le chef du village (voice)
Marie-Anne Chazel	...	Bonnemine (voice)
Roger Lumont	...	Le centurion (voice)
Patrick Préjean	...	Optione (voice)
Edgar Givry	...	Assurancetourix (voice)
Jean-Jacques Cramier	...	Assurancetourix (singing voice)
Yves Barsacq	...	Ordralfabétix (voice)
Gérard Croce	...	Décurion (voice)
Jean Francois Aupied	...	(voice) (as Jean-François Aupied)
Christine Aurel	...	(voice)
Paul Bisciglia	...	Agecanonix (voice)

Storyline

When the druid Panoramix is attacked by some roman soldiers, Obelix drives them away by throwing a menhir on them - which accidentally hits Panoramix. After this the druid has lost his memory and can not remember the formula of his magic potions, especially the one which gives superhuman strength.

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Plot Keywords:

gaul | fat man | insanity | roman empire | village | 

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Taglines:

The Gauls without the magic potion?! By Toutatis!

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite the film's title, only a minor section of "Asterix and the Big Fight" features in the plot (specifically, Getafix's amnesia).

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Quotes

Obelix: [from the American dub, after a legionary has been blown up like a balloon by an experimental potion] I thought the Romans were going to cut down on inflation.
Asterix: Promises, promises.

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Alternate Versions

The American version of the movie adds a narrator (who speaks during many of silent moments) as well add many new lines spoken off screen. This was included to add exposition for people not familiar with Asterix (explain the setting, Obelix back story etc.) This version was translated into other languages such as Polish.

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Connections

Edited into Asterix in America (1994)

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Soundtracks

Music
Performed by Budapest States Orchestra
Conducted by Michel Colombier

User Reviews

Avoid the US dub, I implore you!

Before I critique the actual movie I should inform you that there are in fact TWO English dubs of this movie. The first features Bill Oddie once again as Asterix and keeps the plot and story as was originally presented in French. The American dub however changes names, changes plot details, adds a pointless narration, and has all of the Gauls speak with American accents. Make no mistake, this version is dumbed-down and I implore you to avoid it. The existence of this dub forces my score down to 4/10 when it would otherwise be 7/10.

The Romans, as usual, are camped outside the village waiting for a weak link to finally invade and conquer ALL of Europe. Obelix adjacently drops a Menhir on Getafix's head, making him forget the recipe to the magic potion. Meanwhile, a soothsayer arrives and cons the more gullible villagers into rewarding him. The Romans get wind of his scams and use him to clear out the village. The actual fight of the title does not happen in the movie as that part of the plot was lost when the adaptation was crossed with elements from another Asterix book.

The animation is lovely, the plot doesn't reach its potential, and voice acting is uncertain depending on what dub you are watching. Otherwise this movie ranks as an above average Asterix adventure.

Or "above averagix" if you like.

Details

Country:

France West Germany

Language:

French German

Release Date:

10 August 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asterix and the Big Fight

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dargaud Films, Extrafilm, Gaumont International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1