Ni vu, ni connu (1958)
Directed by Yves Robert

Film Review

Director Yves Robert's second film after his amiable debut feature Les Hommes ne pensent qu'à ça (1954) is the one that put his name on the map - a charming adaptation of a popular late 19th Century novella L'Affaire Blaireau by Alphonse Allais.  The film offers the same engaging portrait of provincial life that we see in the films of Marcel Pagnol and Robert's later film La Gloire de mon père (1990), with colourful characters inhabiting a world that has long since passed away.   This was one of a number of literary adaptations which Yves Robert directed in the first phase of his filmmaking career; others include: Signé Arsène Lupin (1959) and La Guerre des boutons (1962).

Ni vu, ni connu was a significant film for the comic actor Louis de Funès, helping to establish him as one of France's greatest comic performers (he had appeared briefly in Robert's previous film, complete with an unconvincing Spanish accent).  After Comme un cheveu sur la soupe (1957), this was only the second time that De Funès had been cast in the leading role - even though he had already appeared in a hundred films over the preceding decade.  De Funès's portrayal of the mischievous poacher Blaireau is one of the actor's most memorable performances - hugely sympathetic, but with a nice streak of anarchic sadism.   The film also features an early appearance by another talented young actor who would rapidly attain great celebrity, Claude Rich.  Little wonder that this film is regarded with so much affection in French households.

Film Synopsis

Montgaillard prides itself on being the most peaceful town in France.  The only worry for the town's authorities is Blaireau, a poacher who busily supplies the townsfolk with game and fish outside the hunting season.  Blaireau delights in tormenting his archenemy Parju, a humourless country policeman.   The latter finally gets his revenge by having the poacher arrested for assaulting him.  In reality, Parju's aggressor is a timid piano teacher Amédée Fléchard, who is preoccupied with one of his students, Arabella, whom he loves to distraction.  Arabella tells Amédée that she cannot love a man who has no courage, so, to show his mettle, the piano teacher declares that he will confess to his assault on Paraju.  Meanwhile, Blaireau is enjoying his time in prison.  The prisoner governor, Monsieur Bluette, believes in allowing the convicts to apply their everyday skills whilst in prison.  For Blaireau, this means he can continue his poaching, to the delight of his fellow inmates...