La Vendetta (1962)
Directed by Jean Chérasse

Film Review

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.

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...