André Dumas Movies
- 1985
- PG
The French Lesson was released in some markets as The Frog Prince. Studying at the Sorbonne, young British lass Jenny (Jane Snowden) lives with a rural, respectable French family. Her head full of curious romantic notions, Jenny would like to surrender her virginity, but only when the "right" boy comes along. Her choices boil down to two: Norwegian "hunk" Niels (Oystein Wiik) and arrogant local boy Jean-Philippe (Alexandre Sterling). To make certain that her ultimate decision is the correct one, Jenny establishes a series of offbeat conditions for her two Romeos. The film switches emotional and stylistic gears so often that, by the time the heroine has made her choice, some viewers may have forgotten how the whole thing started. The appeal of The French Lesson is almost completely dependant upon one's feelings towards mercurial leading lady Jane Snowden. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Snowden, Alexandre Sterling, (more)
Years after serving together in the French Foreign Legion, American soldier of fortune Franz Propp (Charles Bronson) and French doctor Dino Barron (Alain Delon) are unexpectedly reunited under the most extraordinary circumstances. Hoping to help a friend who has embezzled some bonds, Barron tries to break into a safe in the dead of night. Sneaking into an underground vault he is surprised to discover that his old pal Propp is also on the premises, likewise intending to crack the safe, albeit for his own benefit. After a few awkward moments, a friendship develops between the two as they try to get out from the locked vault. A Franco-Italian co-production, Adieu L'Ami was released in the U.S. as Farewell, Friend and Honor Among Thieves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alain Delon, Charles Bronson, (more)
- 1966
- Add La Prise du Pouvoir par Louis XIV to QueueAdd La Prise du Pouvoir par Louis XIV to top of Queue
Given the opportunity to turn out a Sacha Guitry-style spectacle, director Roberto Rossellini charts his own neorealist course for The Rise of Louis XIV. It's as if a documentary cameraman was let loose in the royal court of the 17th Century Sun King, here played by Jean-Marie Patte. The use of unfamiliar actors in the major roles adds to the film's realism. Though shown to be the product of a decadent lifestyle, Louis is depicted as being trapped by his royalty, forced in spite of himself to be a raconteur and trendsetter. The Rise of Louis XIV was one of several innovative films made for French television by the Italian Rossellini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Marie Patte, Raymond Jourdan, (more)
- 1964
This movie is the first in a trilogy that parodied the popular silent Fantomas serials of director Louis Feuillade, which followed the adventures of the titular master criminal created by writers Pierre Souvestre and Marcel Allain. After a daring jewelry heist signed "Fantomas," police commissioner Juve (Louis de Funès) goes on national television claiming that Fantomas doesn't exist and that there is no reason for public concern. Riding the wave of public interest, journalist Fandor (Jean Marais) publishes a bogus interview with the master criminal. Fantomas (also played by Jean Marais) doesn't appreciate the joke and kidnaps Fandor to teach him a lesson. A master of disguise, he pulls an even more daring robbery wearing the Fandor mask. Comic relief is provided by commissioner Juve's awkward attempts to capture the elusive arch-criminal. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Marais, Louis de Funès, (more)
