This film appears to be set in late 17th century Spain, but it is NOT just another costume drama. That's because it has a bizarre and often cartoony style about it--and as I knew nothing about the film, I was taken by surprise. In some ways, the cartoony ways reminded me of the dumb but very funny "The Villain".
The film is about the inept and evil Don Salluste (Louis de Funès) and his valet, Blaze (Yves Montand). It's obvious that Salluste is an idiot and Blaze is the brains of the operation--much like Jeeves & Wooster. However, after Salluste robs the poor and behaves like a boorish jerk for the first half hour, he is caught in an indiscretion and all his many titles and riches are stripped from him. In a very funny twist of fate, these are all then rewarded to Blaze--who now becomes the trusted adviser to the King! Ultimately, this creates problems, as although Salluste was thoroughly hated by the other nobles, at least he knew the rules--mistreat and over-tax the poor. A group, almost like the 'anti-Three Musketeers' decide that they should stop trying to kill the King and concentrate on Blaze, as now, Blaze is encouraging the King to do insane things like curtail the abuse of the poor (such as the rule that when a nobleman kills one of their servants they now have to at least report it...how unfair!).
This film achieved something difficult--very difficult. While a film can be extremely silly and cartoony, making it ALSO funny is a tough order. It could have just been a stupid film--but was in fact quite clever. If you like this sort of silliness, other than "The VIllain", you might also want to try watching "Start The Revolution Without Me"--an even sillier costume drama that is set in France during the time of the impending French Revolution.
Finally a few observations. It really is Montand doing the singing, as he had a marvelous voice and was actually a very popular pop singer as well as an actor. Also, while some might take offense at or think the many midgets in the king's court was dumb, this actually WAS accurate. During this time, courts often were littered with such small people, as they were a popular fad at the time! Truly a case of the truth being stranger than fiction. And, finally, why did this movie have a spaghetti western style score? Weird.
The film is about the inept and evil Don Salluste (Louis de Funès) and his valet, Blaze (Yves Montand). It's obvious that Salluste is an idiot and Blaze is the brains of the operation--much like Jeeves & Wooster. However, after Salluste robs the poor and behaves like a boorish jerk for the first half hour, he is caught in an indiscretion and all his many titles and riches are stripped from him. In a very funny twist of fate, these are all then rewarded to Blaze--who now becomes the trusted adviser to the King! Ultimately, this creates problems, as although Salluste was thoroughly hated by the other nobles, at least he knew the rules--mistreat and over-tax the poor. A group, almost like the 'anti-Three Musketeers' decide that they should stop trying to kill the King and concentrate on Blaze, as now, Blaze is encouraging the King to do insane things like curtail the abuse of the poor (such as the rule that when a nobleman kills one of their servants they now have to at least report it...how unfair!).
This film achieved something difficult--very difficult. While a film can be extremely silly and cartoony, making it ALSO funny is a tough order. It could have just been a stupid film--but was in fact quite clever. If you like this sort of silliness, other than "The VIllain", you might also want to try watching "Start The Revolution Without Me"--an even sillier costume drama that is set in France during the time of the impending French Revolution.
Finally a few observations. It really is Montand doing the singing, as he had a marvelous voice and was actually a very popular pop singer as well as an actor. Also, while some might take offense at or think the many midgets in the king's court was dumb, this actually WAS accurate. During this time, courts often were littered with such small people, as they were a popular fad at the time! Truly a case of the truth being stranger than fiction. And, finally, why did this movie have a spaghetti western style score? Weird.