Fanfan La Tulipe (1952)

In order to avoid a forced marriage, a dashing peasant by the name of Fanfan (Gerard Philipe) enlists in King Louis XV's (Marcel Herrand) army during the Seven Years War and romances and duels his way to a hero's end. Directed by Christian-Jaque, this impudent send up of the swashbuckler genre as well as a pointed  jab at military leaders and their wars, while perhaps never as clever as it thinks it is, still manages to be a rollicking entertainment. Fanfan's rather dim witted for a swashbuckling hero but Gerard Philipe's charm and screen presence go a long way in keeping up its welcome. Gina Lollobrigida and Genevieve Page are two of the lucky beauties. Some of the duels are a bit awkward looking however, as if they've been sped up a bit. Shot in B&W by Christian Matras, it's a pity the film wasn't shot in Technicolor as it cries out for it. Christian-Jacque's best director win at the Cannes film festival still seems a bit too generous. With Olivier Hussenot, Georgette Anys and Noel Roquevert.