The first half of "Le Magnifique" is postmodern tongue-in-cheek genius, a wild, ludicrous and in every department excellent mixture of James Bond spoof, splatter effects, slapstick, intertextual verve and romantic comedy clearly exceeding the ten stars limit, plus a downright irresistible Jacqueline Bisset (and I'm not even into brunettes). The second half, hmm, doesn't really come as a letdown, but sticks more to conventional vaudeville formulas and simply can't live up to the absurd roller-coaster folly already established, a few bitter tones possibly due to Francis Veber, a prolific and superb, but sometimes uneven writer who also worked on the script. The Canal Plus DVD features the French original as well as the English and German dub. As for comic dramas of the 70s, unorthodox and essential viewing.
16 Reviews
A diverting and crazy spoof that results to be a well-acted combination of action , adventure and fun farce
ma-cortes14 October 2021
A funny and amusing satire about secret agents and James Bond especially , packing noisy action , entertainment, and lots of humor with tongue in cheek. In fact , it was one of the best spoofs of the James Bond and Euro-spy films in the Seventies . Here Jean Paul Belmondo is an out-of luck writer called Francois in his 43rd novella as well as a máster spy called Bob Saint Clair , while mixing fantasy and reality when he chases women and solves cases. While Jacqueline Bisset is a cute student and damsel in distress who is saved by Belmondo in Acapulco from the claws nasty Vittorio Caprioli. Philippe de Broca , the director of King of hearts ..the Man from Río...Cartouche , now returns with Belmondo and Bisset in this great action comedy !
A hectic , extravagant and sophisticated action movie with plenty of farce , adventure and hilarious situations . An adventure action movie heavily influenced by the comic books including fantasy , imagination, thrills and a lot of fun . A successful French film that was the highest grossing movie of the year 1973 . The picture benefis itself from the two main actors , the always sympathetic Jean Paul Belmondo and the gorgeous Jacqueline Bisset as the cute neighbour in her total total splendor , along with the attractive villain played by Vittorio Caprioli who appears as his editor and as Colonel Karpoff . And other secondaries giving brief but likeable interpretations as Hans Meyer and Jean Lefebre , the famous Gendarme of Saint Tropez along with Louis De Funes .
The motion picture was lavishly produced by Alexander Mnouchkine and amusingly directed by Philippe De Broca and made in similar style to The Man from Río 1964 starred by Belmondo and Ursula Andress . De Broca directed some nice movies , most of them comedies , action and adventures , such as Cartouche , The King of Hearts , Oldest profession, Le Cavaleur , Jupiter's thigh, The Green House , Louisiana, among others . And his fetish actor was the recently deceased Jean Paul Belmondo , being his best movie this Le Magnifique . Rating :7/10. Better than average . Well worth watching . The picture will appeal to Belmondo and Bisset fans .
A hectic , extravagant and sophisticated action movie with plenty of farce , adventure and hilarious situations . An adventure action movie heavily influenced by the comic books including fantasy , imagination, thrills and a lot of fun . A successful French film that was the highest grossing movie of the year 1973 . The picture benefis itself from the two main actors , the always sympathetic Jean Paul Belmondo and the gorgeous Jacqueline Bisset as the cute neighbour in her total total splendor , along with the attractive villain played by Vittorio Caprioli who appears as his editor and as Colonel Karpoff . And other secondaries giving brief but likeable interpretations as Hans Meyer and Jean Lefebre , the famous Gendarme of Saint Tropez along with Louis De Funes .
The motion picture was lavishly produced by Alexander Mnouchkine and amusingly directed by Philippe De Broca and made in similar style to The Man from Río 1964 starred by Belmondo and Ursula Andress . De Broca directed some nice movies , most of them comedies , action and adventures , such as Cartouche , The King of Hearts , Oldest profession, Le Cavaleur , Jupiter's thigh, The Green House , Louisiana, among others . And his fetish actor was the recently deceased Jean Paul Belmondo , being his best movie this Le Magnifique . Rating :7/10. Better than average . Well worth watching . The picture will appeal to Belmondo and Bisset fans .
My name is Sinclar, Bob Sinclar. oops ...
clong_clong20 December 2004
Bob Sinclar is the greatest secret agent in the world : he is handsome, strong, intelligent, unstoppable ... and he doesn't exist. You're irritated by the perfection of James (Bond) ? check this movie.
This movie looks old, and most of its jokes don't work as well as it worked 31 yrs ago, yet, this movie has to be seen. It is short, and there are some great findings (and some stuff are still funny too). Actually the concepts in the movie are better than the movie itself IMHO, but it's still a nice movie. When I was a kid I LOVED that movie so much !!!
BTW, I guess that the name Sinclar comes from who was James Bond at this time (Roger Moore) that was Simon Templar and Lord Sinclair on TV.
I almost forgot : if you're a man ... or a lesbian, Jacqueline Bisset is a sufficient enough reason to watch the movie.
" - coucouroucoucou coucouroucoucou
Check it out.
This movie looks old, and most of its jokes don't work as well as it worked 31 yrs ago, yet, this movie has to be seen. It is short, and there are some great findings (and some stuff are still funny too). Actually the concepts in the movie are better than the movie itself IMHO, but it's still a nice movie. When I was a kid I LOVED that movie so much !!!
BTW, I guess that the name Sinclar comes from who was James Bond at this time (Roger Moore) that was Simon Templar and Lord Sinclair on TV.
I almost forgot : if you're a man ... or a lesbian, Jacqueline Bisset is a sufficient enough reason to watch the movie.
" - coucouroucoucou coucouroucoucou
- VOS GUEULES !!!
- cou ... ou ..."
Check it out.
Surreal Camp
robwms6310 January 2004
There are some cornball aspects to this film, but it also incredibly inspired in many ways. It is best not to read a bunch of summaries of the plot, just watch it and revel in the imagery which is fantastic in many parts. Belmondo is fantastic as is Jacqueline Bisset. If you already found sixties spy/agent films campy, this film will be a wonderful release, but also a haunting pastiche of dark humor on the whole genre. The jokes are layered very thick, not all of them hit, but compared to the campy schtick done in hollywood, this is shakespearean.
clever send up of spy movies
ksf-22 July 2023
In kanopy as the man from acapulco, but in imdb as le magnifique. Jacqueline bisset, vittorio caprioli, jeanpaul belmondo. Francois is a writer who has created a suave, sharp spy hero, who is all the things the writer is not. Francois uses people and events from his own life in the spy's adventures. Lots of fake blood and guts, but it's so over the top, it's more comical than scary. The running gag where the plumber and electrician are waiting for the other to work in francois' flat before they will start their work. Fun scenery from all over the world, as the spy saint-clar chases the bad guys. Paris, puerto vallarta, orly, acapulco. It must have been really fun making this film! In french, with english subtitles. It's a fun parody of spy thrillers, with sight gags keeping us entertained. Some repetition. Mostly good stuff. Directed by philippe de broca, who has been nominated for an oscar and a bafta! It's a fun one. One forgets that it was made back in 1973.
hysterical story within a story
cinezonker-130 July 2003
Seriously underappreciated comedy with one of the finest and funniest opening "twists" this filmgoer has ever seen. Belmondo is at his comic and athletic best and Bissett is gorgeous and perfectly cast as a student doing a research paper on pulp-fiction authors (Belmondo). To say much more would spoil the imaginative twists and turns in this film. If you can find it, watch it!
If you like Belmondo in this you might also enjoy "Up to His Ears" (1965)
The CineZonk
If you like Belmondo in this you might also enjoy "Up to His Ears" (1965)
The CineZonk
some ridiculous fun
SnoopyStyle13 February 2022
Bob Sinclar (Jean-Paul Belmondo) is a superspy in a ridiculous spy world. He's actually the central character in a book series written by François Merlin (Jean-Paul Belmondo). In his imagination, many people in his real world are incorporated into his spy fantasy.
This film announces itself as a ridiculous spoof right from the start with the giant claw lifting up the phone booth. There is nothing funnier than the translators scene. I like to stay in the spy universe and keep it as ridiculous as possible.
This film announces itself as a ridiculous spoof right from the start with the giant claw lifting up the phone booth. There is nothing funnier than the translators scene. I like to stay in the spy universe and keep it as ridiculous as possible.
Cleverly written and nice movie
dickvdv2 April 2000
This movie is a story about a writer which is maintaining and developing a character, which is a lot in contrary of himself. As a viewer you follow the man when he is writing the book, and you can follow all of his sometimes funny, sometimes exaggerated fantasies by the creation of the story.
It must have been a challenge for the script writer(s) to make this film not too difficult to follow, because it depends on good timing when switching the roles as they are growing during the story.
When you place the movie in its own time, it was one of those real Belmondo's: cleverly written, and full of terrific action, with often surprising acts. A nice movie!
It must have been a challenge for the script writer(s) to make this film not too difficult to follow, because it depends on good timing when switching the roles as they are growing during the story.
When you place the movie in its own time, it was one of those real Belmondo's: cleverly written, and full of terrific action, with often surprising acts. A nice movie!
french tickler
ThurstonHunger24 September 2005
Anachronistic meets anarchic. This things still got some shelf life, although I do think its potency is somewhat diluted by time. And also perhaps by translation, I would bet there's some clever wordplay going on in parts that were lost upon me. I remember wondering what modern French audiences would think if they ran across "Airplane." Not a fair comparison, but not far off the mark...
The dual performance of Jean-Paul Belmondo is definitely a couple of cuts above what you would expect for a film that's basically a laugh lark. I mean the guy is often called upon to take splashy pratfalls, but has to play both virile playboy and nebbish nancy-boy. Yet if you take a still from any scene in the film you could immediately discern which one was on screen.
As Bob St. Clair, his overly self-satisfied smile would crack me up, something about its goofy gallantry reminded me of a sadly departed friend. Ken Hamilton, RIP. You shoulda met him...
Anyways back to the film...
I did enjoy the surreal slips between the film itself and then the book being created within the film. The first one I think was on a beach as the housecleaner blithely waltzes through soldiers storming the sands, vacuuming only to enter a door and voila. Additionally latter battles between the author and his protagonist and/or protagonista mostly worked for me. Though they dipped in shtick.
Afterwards, I watched some of it over with my young (3-year old) twin boys, and they liked it, I mean come on those mariachis with the mobile theme music, they were worth the rental alone. And um yeah, Jacqueline Bisset is beauty personified in this...
Not a lost classic in my book, nor auteur action...but le funny, certainmont.
6/10
The dual performance of Jean-Paul Belmondo is definitely a couple of cuts above what you would expect for a film that's basically a laugh lark. I mean the guy is often called upon to take splashy pratfalls, but has to play both virile playboy and nebbish nancy-boy. Yet if you take a still from any scene in the film you could immediately discern which one was on screen.
As Bob St. Clair, his overly self-satisfied smile would crack me up, something about its goofy gallantry reminded me of a sadly departed friend. Ken Hamilton, RIP. You shoulda met him...
Anyways back to the film...
I did enjoy the surreal slips between the film itself and then the book being created within the film. The first one I think was on a beach as the housecleaner blithely waltzes through soldiers storming the sands, vacuuming only to enter a door and voila. Additionally latter battles between the author and his protagonist and/or protagonista mostly worked for me. Though they dipped in shtick.
Afterwards, I watched some of it over with my young (3-year old) twin boys, and they liked it, I mean come on those mariachis with the mobile theme music, they were worth the rental alone. And um yeah, Jacqueline Bisset is beauty personified in this...
Not a lost classic in my book, nor auteur action...but le funny, certainmont.
6/10
Not another spy comedy
kurciasbezdalas9 January 2009
Ussualy spy comedies are boring to me. James Bond was spoofed so many times, that it's not funny anymore (Get Smart (tv series) and Austin Powers is an exception). This movie would be also just another spy comedy, but some things make this movie different from other and even original. The plot is not usual to spy comedies. Actually there were two stories told in this movie - one about a poor writer, another is about a spy, who is a main character of the poor writers book. Both of them are played by Jean-Paul Belmondo, who was just brilliant in this movie. I liked his mimics of the face when he played Bob Saint-Clair (a spy). He played Bob Saint-Clair with some sort of irony and it was hilarious. Most of the jokes in this movie were slap-stick jokes, it looked weird sometimes, but that's probably what made this movie so funny.
Style is What We Call Our Mistakes
boblipton10 November 2018
Jean-Paul Belmondo is a French super-spy sent to Acapulco to find out why another agent was eaten by a shark in a telephone booth and to have sex with Jacqueline Bisset. No, wait, after about twenty minutes, it turns out that he's actually the writer of the potboilers in which he imagines himself, the people who annoy him in real life (particularly his publisher Vittorio Caprioli) and Jackie Bisset, the pretty student who lives upstairs, and whom he's much too shy to speak to. His life is pretty dire. He's divorced, has a son he can't talk to -- the boy is a teenager, so that's a given -- his apartment is a wreck because the plumber won't start until the electrician is done, and vice versa --and he's broke. Plus he has to write 83 pages by Monday because the next book is due.
It's another of the hit comedies that Belmondo made under the direction of Philippe de Broca, and it was originally written by Francis Veber. It was Veber's first year of movie credits, so when de Broca insisted on rewriting it himself, Veber took his name off the credits. It's telling and funny and Veber probably wrote the script based on his own experiences and daydreams. However, like the earlier de Broca-Belmondo collaborations, it seems to be erratically paced, uncertain from one moment to the next whether it's supposed to be camp, dramatic or a hip comedy, resulting in a bit of a mess. I've concluded that's de Broca's style.
It's another of the hit comedies that Belmondo made under the direction of Philippe de Broca, and it was originally written by Francis Veber. It was Veber's first year of movie credits, so when de Broca insisted on rewriting it himself, Veber took his name off the credits. It's telling and funny and Veber probably wrote the script based on his own experiences and daydreams. However, like the earlier de Broca-Belmondo collaborations, it seems to be erratically paced, uncertain from one moment to the next whether it's supposed to be camp, dramatic or a hip comedy, resulting in a bit of a mess. I've concluded that's de Broca's style.
More than just a spy parody
johnpierrepatrick19 April 2020
As a spy parody, we already have a nice movie, cutting for a 7/10.
But this movie doesn't stop there and adds another layer, intertwining the story of Bob Saint Clar, the perfect spy, with the one of its creator, the writer François Merlin, and raises the level one step higher.
It goes also with a nice duo of actors: Belmondo enjoying himself, and ourselves, and Jacqueline Bisset - previously James Bond girl - which shines on the movie with her double role.
Without disclosing the story, you'll have a very good time.
It goes also with a nice duo of actors: Belmondo enjoying himself, and ourselves, and Jacqueline Bisset - previously James Bond girl - which shines on the movie with her double role.
Without disclosing the story, you'll have a very good time.
French 007
elo-equipamentos9 June 2017
When l'd watched this picture in 1988 l'd found it a crap, now on first time on DVD with original audio (Ugh!!) looks to me more acceptable and digestible, the plot is very clever. however the acting is bizarre, nonsense and surreal, Jacqueline Bisset delivery your attractiveness to saves the movie, Jean Paul Belmondo is fine when he is playing the writer only, the Mexican landscape helps to much, this odd french comedy is dated and isn't for all taste, but works for a killing time only and of course to see how beauty Jacqueline Bisset was in the seventies!!!
Resume:
First watch: 1988 / How Many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6.25
Resume:
First watch: 1988 / How Many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6.25
This film careens wildly through moments of high camp, pathos and outright slapstick
staffba315 March 2003
Albanian agents are smuggling missile platforms into Mexico. An American agent is devoured by a shark in a phone booth. Superspy Bob St. Cloud is sent to Acapulco to investigate. There he meets the beautiful Tatiana, but their romance is interrupted when they are attacked by an army of Albanian scuba divers, armed with machine guns. In the middle of the carnage, a cleaning woman pushes a vacuum cleaner up the beach. She enters the door of a small beach house where...
In a shabby Parisian flat, Francois Merlin, writer of cheap fiction, is pounding out his forty-third spy novel. He sees a young sociology student through the window of a nearby flat. Though he's never met her, she becomes part of his novel.
From this beginning French director Philippe de Broca (King of Hearts) creates a bizarre comedy of frustrated desires and fantastic dreams. Like Walter Mitty, Merlin creates a fantasy life within his novels far more exciting than his own.
French film star Jean-Paul Belmondo shows great versatility in a duel role as the campy hero Bob St. Cloud and the burnt-out Francois Merlin. Jacqueline Bisset is the vampish spy, Tatiana, as well as Christine, the sociology student who studying the popular appeal of Merlin's escapist novels. Vittorio Caprioli also plays a dual role as Bob St. Cloud's arch-enemy, the evil Colonel Karpoff, and as Merlin's smarmy publisher Georges Charon.
De Broca is a master of light comedy and his film careens wildly through moments of high camp, pathos and outright slapstick, as the story switches back and forth between the fantasy of Merlin's novel to the reality of his own life. In the end Merlin must battle his own fictional alter ego, as well as his publisher, for the love of the fair Christine.
In a shabby Parisian flat, Francois Merlin, writer of cheap fiction, is pounding out his forty-third spy novel. He sees a young sociology student through the window of a nearby flat. Though he's never met her, she becomes part of his novel.
From this beginning French director Philippe de Broca (King of Hearts) creates a bizarre comedy of frustrated desires and fantastic dreams. Like Walter Mitty, Merlin creates a fantasy life within his novels far more exciting than his own.
French film star Jean-Paul Belmondo shows great versatility in a duel role as the campy hero Bob St. Cloud and the burnt-out Francois Merlin. Jacqueline Bisset is the vampish spy, Tatiana, as well as Christine, the sociology student who studying the popular appeal of Merlin's escapist novels. Vittorio Caprioli also plays a dual role as Bob St. Cloud's arch-enemy, the evil Colonel Karpoff, and as Merlin's smarmy publisher Georges Charon.
De Broca is a master of light comedy and his film careens wildly through moments of high camp, pathos and outright slapstick, as the story switches back and forth between the fantasy of Merlin's novel to the reality of his own life. In the end Merlin must battle his own fictional alter ego, as well as his publisher, for the love of the fair Christine.
Surprisingly good
tommy-9776127 January 2024
I put this movie on, because it was the top suggestion available, but I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I think that is the correct way to see this movie. Don't even read the premise, don't read any reviews, just watch it. I guess since you are here, it is too late for that.
This is no real spoiler, but I had no idea the story was about a writer. The premise tells you as much, but I think it is better not knowing because then you first meet Bob Sinclair, the over the top super spy who is absolutely ridiculous in how good he is at what he does. Like shooting one bullet and taking out 6 goons who were hiding in a tree, because of course they are. Being thrown into such story I was really confused as to what am I even watching and how will it proceed. When I thought it couldn't get any more ridiculous, there was a lady vacuuming the beach, so I thought ok, so it is a spoof satire kind of thing like Mel Brooks?
Not quite.
You get a transition into the real world, where Belmondo is a deadbeat writer working on the 43rd episode of a pulpy detective story. Suddenly it all made sense, and the story progresses to be much more intriguing. There are plenty of gags in the real world as well as keeping up with the pulp story. Over all the movie is a good time. The surprise about the spy stuff being fiction within fiction added a level of enjoyment for me, so since you already spoiled that for yourself, at least spare this detail from anyone you might watch this movie with. It is a plot twist, that was probably not intended, but welcome. Also, Jacqueline Bisset is insanely hot in the movie.
This is no real spoiler, but I had no idea the story was about a writer. The premise tells you as much, but I think it is better not knowing because then you first meet Bob Sinclair, the over the top super spy who is absolutely ridiculous in how good he is at what he does. Like shooting one bullet and taking out 6 goons who were hiding in a tree, because of course they are. Being thrown into such story I was really confused as to what am I even watching and how will it proceed. When I thought it couldn't get any more ridiculous, there was a lady vacuuming the beach, so I thought ok, so it is a spoof satire kind of thing like Mel Brooks?
Not quite.
You get a transition into the real world, where Belmondo is a deadbeat writer working on the 43rd episode of a pulpy detective story. Suddenly it all made sense, and the story progresses to be much more intriguing. There are plenty of gags in the real world as well as keeping up with the pulp story. Over all the movie is a good time. The surprise about the spy stuff being fiction within fiction added a level of enjoyment for me, so since you already spoiled that for yourself, at least spare this detail from anyone you might watch this movie with. It is a plot twist, that was probably not intended, but welcome. Also, Jacqueline Bisset is insanely hot in the movie.
A brilliant confrontation between Belmondo and De Brocca at their artistic peak
norbert-plan-618-71581328 May 2022
A masterpiece for Philippe de Broca. At the same time romantic comedy, parody and crazy comedy which assumes its excesses in the universe of Bob Sinclar.
Le Magnifique is at times brilliant in its excesses and in its confrontations; for example when we see Monique Tarbès on a beach vacuuming... The transitions between the two universes are always well seen: the reality of François Merlin and the fiction of Bob Sinclar.
The characters in François Merlin's universe exist and anchor very quickly in a reality: the sentimental relationship between François Merlin and Jacqueline Bisset is very well written; François Merlin's relationship with his son (an amusing meal scene with his son where they have nothing to say to each other); the reality of the plumbers and electricians more real than a documentary. It is this anchoring in reality that allows the enormities of Bob Sinclar's universe to pass.
The film is everything you want it to be: grotesque, parodic, huge, humorous, sentimental, mocking with the hero (inspired by James Bond). All this is done with great success. Jean-Paul Belmondo is able to make fun of himself. The villain is really good: Vittorio Caprioli as Karpof/Charron is a gem. An amazing film, to see again and again!
In any case it is a unique film and not too dated in its formatting. Amazing how robust the film is to the years.
Le Magnifique is at times brilliant in its excesses and in its confrontations; for example when we see Monique Tarbès on a beach vacuuming... The transitions between the two universes are always well seen: the reality of François Merlin and the fiction of Bob Sinclar.
The characters in François Merlin's universe exist and anchor very quickly in a reality: the sentimental relationship between François Merlin and Jacqueline Bisset is very well written; François Merlin's relationship with his son (an amusing meal scene with his son where they have nothing to say to each other); the reality of the plumbers and electricians more real than a documentary. It is this anchoring in reality that allows the enormities of Bob Sinclar's universe to pass.
The film is everything you want it to be: grotesque, parodic, huge, humorous, sentimental, mocking with the hero (inspired by James Bond). All this is done with great success. Jean-Paul Belmondo is able to make fun of himself. The villain is really good: Vittorio Caprioli as Karpof/Charron is a gem. An amazing film, to see again and again!
In any case it is a unique film and not too dated in its formatting. Amazing how robust the film is to the years.
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