Firstly, I've not read the novel, nor seen previous adaptations of this famous French yarn. Therefore, I had no preconceived ideas or notions, nor could I compare it. I saw it on the excellent satellite TV French film channel, Cinemoi.
French films are often low budget, intimate and charming relationship dramas. This, however, is as big budgeted, grand and sweeping as any Hollywood fare, with a superbly rousing score from British composer Debbie Wiseman. The opening scenes are dashing and daring and sets one up for an exciting film. If you thought that only the Brits can pull off a decent period drama, then this, with its superb cinematography will have you swooning.
Romain Duris is suitably dark'n'dashing as the hero in question and Kristen Scott-Thomas, whom I've not always liked, plays Joséphine, the comtesse de Cagliostro that he is seduced by. Lupin's antics, with daring stunts and disguises then start to roll into each other and the story became less clear for me, though it always retains its rollicking fun and adventure.
Whether or not, this version is faithful to the original, or is any better or worse than the previous film versions (one of which, from 1932 starred John Barrymore) I cannot say. For me though, I was pleasantly and solidly entertained and whilst it lost ground in the middle for me, I enjoyed it.
French films are often low budget, intimate and charming relationship dramas. This, however, is as big budgeted, grand and sweeping as any Hollywood fare, with a superbly rousing score from British composer Debbie Wiseman. The opening scenes are dashing and daring and sets one up for an exciting film. If you thought that only the Brits can pull off a decent period drama, then this, with its superb cinematography will have you swooning.
Romain Duris is suitably dark'n'dashing as the hero in question and Kristen Scott-Thomas, whom I've not always liked, plays Joséphine, the comtesse de Cagliostro that he is seduced by. Lupin's antics, with daring stunts and disguises then start to roll into each other and the story became less clear for me, though it always retains its rollicking fun and adventure.
Whether or not, this version is faithful to the original, or is any better or worse than the previous film versions (one of which, from 1932 starred John Barrymore) I cannot say. For me though, I was pleasantly and solidly entertained and whilst it lost ground in the middle for me, I enjoyed it.