Le Bon roi Dagobert (1963)
Directed by Pierre Chevalier

Film Review

Although nearing the end of his remarkable film career, comic actor Fernandel still had what it took to enliven a lacklustre comedy and draw a large cinema audience.  Le Bon roi Dagobert is a schoolboy's comic book reinterpretation of history, in much the same vein as the earlier Fernandel offering François Premier (1937).  Shot in Rome, the film has some impressive production values, but it should have been made in colour and its cast - which includes some very talented actors - deserve a far better script.  Popular Italian actor Gino Cervi stars along side Fernandel - the two had previously worked together on the Don Camillo series of films over the past decade.  Although popular in its day, the film now feels flat and dated, although there are a few moments of great comedy - notably Pascale Roberts' easy seduction of Fernandel, Jacques Dufilho in drag and Darry Cowl's hilarious turn as a punctillious executioner.

Film Synopsis

Bébert Pelletan is a schoolboy who has a habit of daydreaming in class instead of paying attention.  His teacher is so appalled that he knows nothing about the medieval king of France Dagobert that he gives the boy an essay to write on that very subject.  Bébert's father is equally incredulous over his son's ignorance and, as a punishment, denies him his favourite television programme, Ivanhoe.  Bébert's knowledge about Dagobert is non-existent so as he labours over his essay he allows his imagination to make up for his complete ignorance on the subject.

In the boy's colourful fantasy, the king and his queen Gomatrude resemble his father and mother, and he sees himself as their son and future heir, Sigisbert.  According to Bébert, King Dagobert has two principal objectives in life: to collect as many wives as he can and secure his place in history.  The King intends that his son Sigisbert will be crowned as his successor at Reims, but in this he is fiercely opposed by his ambitious brother Charibert, who plans to usurp the throne.  Fortunately, Dagobert has the support of a wise and wily inventor, St-Eloi...