Fan-Fan the Tulip (Fanfan la Tulipe)
Directed by Christian Jacque
Written by Rene Wheeler, Rene Fallet et al
1952/Italy/France
Amato Produzione/Filmsonor/Les Films Ariane/Rizzoli Editore
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism. — Alexander Hamilton [/box]
This is a really fun swashbuckling romp. Its bawdy humor reminded me a bit of Tom Jones.
The film is graced with sardonic voice-over narration mostly poking fun at war. As the story begins our hero Fanfan (Gerarde Phillipe) is caught dallying with the farmer’s daughter in a hayloft. Her father has a shotgun wedding in mind but Fanfan wants no part of that. As he is being taken of for his nuptials ha meets up with a Adeline (Gina Lollabrigida), a busty young woman who tells his fortune. He will become a general in the French army and marry the king’s daughter. This primes him to hand himself over to some army recruiters in town to get out of the wedding. Of course, Adeline turns out to be the recruiting sergeant’s daughter and he gets a bonus for each man recruited.
On the way to the field of battle, Fanfan and company happen upon a coach that is being held up by bandits. All the male attendants have fled and Fanfan gallantly defeats the robbers. Inside the coach are Madame Pompadour and the King’s daughter. The princess gives Fanfan a brooch in the shape of a tulip to reward his gallantry and thus his nickname. Fanfan is now determined to make the prediction come true. Meanwhile, despite herself and their nonstop bickering, Adeline falls in love with Fanfan.
The rest of the movie follows Fanfan’s adventures in camp, fleeing pursuers through the King’s palace, and defeating both evil doers and death by hanging. Adeline has some adventures of her own trying to escape the king’s wandering hands. Everything builds up to a highly satisfactory climax.
This is just pure entertainment and I enjoyed it immensely. All the players are very appealing and the production is handsome. Recommended if you are in the mood for some farce and derring-do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0vPEtdNcYk
Trailer
