King of Hearts (1966)

King of Hearts (Le roi de coeur)
Directed by Philippe de Broca
Written by Daniel Boulanger and Maurice Bessy
1966/France/Italy
Fildebroc/Les Productions Artistes Associes/Compagnia Cinematografica Montoro
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Why is the King of Hearts the only one that hasn’t a moustache? — James Branch Cabell [/box]

It’s hard for me to imagine a film more Gallic or charming than this one.  Love it, love it, love it.

The setting is a small French town during WWI.  Charles Plumpick (Alan Bates) is an ornithological specialist in the British Army (keeps the carrier pigeons).  He is mistaken for a demolitiions expert and ordered to go to town to disarm a bomb – location unknown – that is set to destroy the entire place.  The population evacuates.  Charles is scared witless and escapes some German soldiers by fleeing into the insane asylum, whose doors were left open by departing employees.  He is immediately welcomed as the “King of Hearts” and adopted wholeheartedly by the inmates.

Everybody goes out on the town and puts on clothing that suits his insane persona.  So we get a general (Pierre Brasseur), a Duke (Jean-Claude Brialy) and a madam.  The madam’s brothel includes a sweet virgin called Coquelicot (Genevieve Bujold).  The madam quickly sets up a tryst for the King with her.  At the same time, the animals have escaped from a circus adding to the atmosphere.

Charles tries his best to complete his mission but keeps getting distracted by his lovable new friends.

This was one of the first foreign movies I saw in the movie theater, probably in the early 70’s.  I’ve loved it since that day throughout the years.  It never gets old.  My husband thought the anti-war message was heavy handed in places  but we both enjoyed the comedy.   Warmly recommended.