Every day, AlloCiné recommends a film to (re)watch on TV. Tonight: the second part of an essential trilogy.
Emblematic figure of the French serial created by Pierre Souvestre and Marcel Allain, Fantômas becomes the object of several cinematographic adaptations. In 1964, André Hunebelle seized it by taking a few liberties, having in mind to produce a comic trilogy, bordering on the parody of James Bond.
When it was released, Fantômas attracted 4.4 million viewers, making it one of the biggest hits of the year at the French box office. A success that can be explained in particular by the performances of the two main actors: the charismatic Jean Marais on the one hand, in the skin of the master of crime; and Louis de Funès on the other hand, who literally steals the show from his partner by lending his features to the paranoid commissioner Juve.
While André Hunebelle had no intention of keeping this character in the second part, he quickly changed his mind. Indeed, Louis de Funès has meanwhile become a popular actor thanks to the Gendarme de Saint-Tropez (more than 7 million admissions), then to Corniaud (more than 11 million admissions).
Not only does the director reintroduce Commissioner Juve into the script, but he gives him even more importance – much to the delight of viewers. Once is not custom, Louis de Funès gives himself to heart joy in this tailor-made role, where he gives free rein to his unbridled fantasy.
Released in 1965, Fantômas unleashed confirms the success of the franchise by totaling 4.1 million admissions.
Fantomas goes wild by André Hunebelle with Jean Marais, Louis de Funès, Mylène Demongeot…
Tonight on TMC at 9:15 p.m.