Summary
The criminal mastermind Fantômas returns with a new dastardly scheme: to impose
a right-to-live tax on the rich. One of his victims, the wealthy Lord McRaschley,
has no intention of giving in to Fantômas’ threats. He invites Juve and Fandor
to his castle in Scotland to lure the master criminal into a trap. Unfortunately,
he has not reckoned with Fantômas’ evil cunning...
Review
The third instalment in the 1960s series of Fantômas films sees Louis de
Funès and Jean Marais united for the final time in the by now familiar blend of
slapstick comedy and crime thriller. Although marginally better than the previous
two films in a number of areas (notably the plot and the direction), there is little in
the way of new material and the kitsch comic strip formula is looking a little tired and
familiar.
Needless to say, the lead actors are on fine form, with de Funès at the height
of his powers as a comic actor and Marais having plenty of opportunity to indulge his
whim for action stunts. Yet again, Marais’ sublime performance as the sinister green-skinned
Fantômas is overshadowed by de Funès’ comic excesses, reminding us once more
of the genuinely great Fantômas film which managed to slip through director André
Hunebelle's fingers.
© James Travers 2007
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