Les Fêtes galantes (1965)
Directed by René Clair

Film Synopsis

Way back in the 18th century, life was hard and unpredictable - especially when you found yourself at the mercy of a conquering power.  This is the position the Marechal d'Allenberg finds himself in, besieged in his castle with ever diminishing food supplies, yet still determined to hold out against his mortal enemy, the Prince de Beaulieu.  Thankfully, he has men under his command on whom he can rely to get him out of this tight spot.  Joli Coeur, the marshal's ever-resourceful brigadier, is sent out to find some desperately needed food, before the stocks run out completely.  Joli Coeur finds that his luck is in.  Not only does he lay his hands on a well-nurtured pig, he also manages to steal a kiss from a young woman he rescues from some brutish thugs.

Flushed with success, our hero returns to the castle, and cannot believe his eyes when he is confronted by the sight of the pig's owner and the woman he saved!  The latter, it transpires, is Allenberg's intrepid daughter, Hélène.  Realising she has made a conquest of the brave brigadier, Hélène asks him to undertake one little task for him.  How can Joli Coeur refuse?  Without delay, he sets out on his most hazardous assignment yet - to find Beaulieu's son Frédéric and talk him into ending the war.  In this, he enlists the help of the pig owner, Thomas, who apparently shares his thirst for adventure.  Having managed to get themselves behind enemy lines, Joli Coeur and his comrade-in-arms encounter the prince carousing with a troupe of actors.  One of these immediately catches the eye of our hero...