The first of three films directed by Jean Chérasse, La Vendetta vaguely resembles
Gilles Grangier's debut comedy Adémaï bandit d'honneur
(1943) with its Corsican setting and tale of deadly clan rivalry but
it fails dismally to match up to the entertainment value of that earlier
film. Despite the presence of two comedy icons in the cast -
Louis de Funès and Francis Blanche - La Vendetta is one of those
stumbling, inept comedies that you are likely to have
forgotten within minutes of watching it. De Funès never
fails to extort a laugh whenever he
comes into focus, but when he's off screen it's like staring into the
depths of the abyss (not an uncommon experience with Francis Blanche
comedies). The idiotic plot could have been excused if there had
been a decent smattering of gags and if Chérasse had been minded
to direct the film with some enthusiasm, but alas neither of these is
the case. This comedy misfire is easily one of the worst films that de
Funès put his name to. Next to this, even Le Gendarme et les gendarmettes
(1982) is bearable - but only just.
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Film Synopsis
In moving to the small Corsican town of Arbella Monsieur Lauriston was hoping
for a long and peaceful retirement. His arrival coincides with an election
campaign following the death of the town's previous mayor. There are
just two contenders for the mayoral position: Giuseppe Corti and Captain
Bartroli. Lauriston is inclined to support the latter of these two
candidates. Things become difficult for the new arrival when his nephew
falls in love with Antonia, the daughter of a notorious local bandit named
Amoretti. Corti is quick to use this compromising news to his advantage
when he hears of it, and before he knows it Lauriston finds himself in a
very awkward spot...
Script: Jean Chérasse,
Jean Clouzot,
Jacques Emmanuel,
Albert Valentin,
Henri Omessa (novel)
Cinematographer: Roland Pontoizeau
Music: Derry Hall
Cast:Francis Blanche (Bartoli),
Olivier Hussenot (M. Lauriston),
Louis de Funès (Amoretti),
Jean Lefebvre (Colombo),
Rosy Varte (Mme Lauriston),
Jacqueline Pierreux (La touriste),
Christian Méry (L'instituteur),
Geneviève Galéa (Antonia Amoretti),
Jean Houbé (Michel Lauriston),
Charles Blavette (Sosthène),
Mario Carotenuto (Corti),
Marisa Merlini (La postière),
Elisa Mainardi (La fille de Bastia),
Noël Rocchiccioli (Colonna),
Juan Vilato (Le chanteur partisan de M. Lauriston),
Tintin Pasqualini,
Noel Vinciguerra,
Jacqueline Doyen
Country: France / Italy
Language: French
Support: Black and White
Runtime: 80 min
Aka:The Vendetta
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