Gerard Beytout Movies
- 1979
Director Robert Enrico has attempted to adapt a novel, by Hortense Dufour, of larger-than-life figures to a larger-than-life screen. The drama in the novel has not translated well. It is a rather routine story of men at a highway construction site in 1965 who guide huge machinery around by day and in the end, have difficulties with their nomadic lifestyle. The work and its conditions are demanding, yet the men and their families do not extend beyond a set series of stereotypes that would be familiar territory to most audiences. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zoe Chauveau, Mario Adorf, (more)
- 1978
In this funny French entry in the "Gendarme" series of films, bungling inspector Cruchot (played by Jerry Lewis-like French comedian De Funes) finds himself trying to save the residents of St. Tropez from oil-guzzling humanoid space aliens. But for their constant thirst for petro-products, the only other way to tell the invaders from people is touch them and see if they sound like empty garbage cans. Soon chaos reigns. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louis de Funès, Michel Galabru, (more)
- 1968
Zita, portrayed by Katina Paxinou, is a Parisian widow who has suffered a stroke. She is cared for by her niece Joanna Shimkus, who chafes under the responsibility and wanders off. Shimkus falls in with thieves and lowlifes, finally ending up in jail. She is bailed out by her family doctor (Paul Crauchet), but soon she's back in her old seedy nightclub haunts. While making love to jazz musician Jose Maria Flotats, Shimkus begins reminiscing about her childhood with her aunt. Somewhat chastened, a more mature Shimkus returns home to resume her duties--but by this time, Aunt Zita has died. The film's sympathies are squarely with the niece, whose "escape" from her aunt is meant to represent her final break from childish dependency. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joanna Shimkus, Katina Paxinou, (more)
- 1967
In this adventure, a hotshot pilot loses his license after he attempts to fly through the Arc de Triumph in Paris. Later he and his buddy head for the Congo accompanied by an unsuccessful female artist to locate a crashed plane supposedly filled with a fabulous treasure. Unfortunately, they are followed by greedy crooks who want the treasure for themselves. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alain Delon, Lino Ventura, (more)
- 1964
Inspector Cruchot takes his daughter to visit beautiful St. Tropez to celebrate his recent promotion to sergeant and ends up trying to arrest a beach full of nudists. Meanwhile, his daughter has her own problems when she, ashamed of her social status pretends to be an heiress and ends up getting involved with art thieves. This lively entry in the French "Gendarme" series follows what happens next. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louis de Funès, Michel Galabru, (more)
