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Heureux qui comme Ulysse
1970 Comedy / Drama
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Credits
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Director: Henri Colpi
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Script: Henri Colpi, André Var, based on the novel "The Homecoming" by Marlena Frick
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Photo: Roger Fellous
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Music: Georges Brassens, Georges Delerue
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Cast: Fernandel (Antonin),
Rellys (Marcellin),
Mireille Audibert (Juliette),
Gilberte Rivet,
Evelyne Séléna (Ginette),
Hélène Tossy (Mathilde),
Max Amyl (Pascal),
Edmond Ardisson (Le bouliste),
Lucien Barjon (Firmin),
Marcel Charvey (Leon),
Armand Meffre (Maurice)
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Country: France
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Language: French
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Runtime: 90 min
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Aka: Happy He Who Like Ulysses
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Summary
Antonin, an ageing farm worker, is appalled when his employer tells him that the horse
Ulysse that he has looked after for the past 25 years must be handed over to a picador,
to face a certain death in the bullring. Unable to betray Ulysse, Antonin decides
to take him to open countryside in the south of France, where he will let him go free.
On the way to the equine promised land, the two old friends encounter more than a few
obstacles...
Review
Star of French cinema for four decades, the great comic actor Fernandel finally bows out
with grace in this poignant if slightly sentimental comedy-drama, which is based on an
American novel. With its beautiful Provençal setting and naturalistic performances,
Heureux qui comme Ulysse captures the spirit
and mood of the films of a director Fernandel worked with early on his career, Marcel
Pagnol.
Despite his advanced years, Fernandel has no difficulty evoking our sympathy; his
performance in this film is one of his most sensitive and convincing. The rapport
he seems to have with his co-star - an attractive old horse - brings a palpable sense
of pathos to what is a very moving story. A simple and poetic film, it can be interpreted
as an allegory for the way in which contemporary society treats its elderly citizens when
the young deem they are no longer of any value.
Despite its commendable production
values, which include some stunning location photography, authentic performances and a
thoughful script, the film was not a great commercial success when it was released in
1970. It is, however, unquestionably one of Fernandel’s most memorable films, reminiscent
of another film in which he starred alongside a dumb animal, the superlative
La Vache et le prisonnier (1959).
© James Travers 2007
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