Main Cast: Gérard Philipe, Gina Lollobrigida, Marcel Herrand, Oliver Hussenot, Nerio Bernardi, Noël Roquevert
Release Year: 1952
Country: IT/FR
Run Time: 102 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
Pauline Kael once characterized the French adventure film Fanfan the Tulip as a "Louis XV western". This is a pretty broad interpretation, though it is true that the film never stops moving--an excellent method of sustaining audience attention and plugging up the plot holes. Gerard Philipe plays Fanfan, a handsome, athletic and self-impressed young peasant soldier. Fanfan is as adept in the boudoir as on the battlefield; it has been prophesied that he will wed the king's daughter, thus he wants to get as much practice as possible. Fanfan's many conquests include Gina Lollobridgida and Genevieve Page, which may be why this film did so well in the States. Fanfan the Tulip is available in several shorter versions, one of which has been redubbed Soldier in Love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Geneviève Page - La Pompadour; Georgette Anys - Madame Tranche-Montagne; Gerard Buhr; Jean Debucourt - Narrator; Jean Parédès - Capt. La Houlette; Henri Rollan - Marechal d'Estrees; Hiram Sherman - English Commentary; Jean-Marc Tennberg - Lebel; Gil Delamare; Sylvie Pelayo
Credit
Marcel Escoffier - Costume Designer, Christian-Jaque - Director, Jacques Desagneaux - Editor, Georges Van Parys - Composer (Music Score), Maurice Thiriet - Composer (Music Score), Robert Gys - Production Designer, Christian Matras - Cinematographer, Christian-Jaque - Producer, Georges Dancigers - Producer, Alexandre Mnouchkine - Producer, Francis Cosne - Producer, Robert Gys - Set Designer, Marcel Herrand - Screenwriter, Oliver Hussenot - Screenwriter, Henri Jeanson - Screenwriter, René Wheeler - Screenwriter, Rene Fallet - Screenwriter
The film is set in France during the Seven Years' War. As the film begins, Fanfan (Gérard Philipe) is a charming, attractive young man who is trying to escape a shotgun marriage. At this vulnerable point in his life, he is approached by the daughter of a recruiting officer, Adeline, (played by Gina Lollobrigida) who tells him that if he joins the army, he will find fame, fortune, and will marry the king’s daughter. Accordingly he joins the army, only to discover that she made the whole thing up in order for her father to get a recruiting bonus. Nevertheless, encouraged by a series of improbable circumstances, he accepts her prediction as his destiny. A series of events ensues which shows off to great advantage his athleticism and leadership ability. As the film progresses, we become aware of a developing attraction between himself and Adeline which however conflicts with his perceived “destiny” of marrying a king’s daughter.
