Review of Les Grandes Manoeuvres

Introduction

This is a very welcome release from `C`est La Vie` and is undisputedly one of French filmmaker Rene Clair`s finest hours. Much is made on the packaging and general write up of this movie of Brigitte Bardot`s involvement, and she`s certainly on fine form, but this is very much a vehicle for Gerard Philipe and Michele Morgan.

Rene Clair has clearly thoroughly enjoyed producing this wicked tale of an incorrigible and successful womaniser who eventually falls in (real) love with one of his many lovers. Armande de la Verne (played superbly by Gerard Philipe) is a handsome and charismatic womanising soldier, who can`t resist flirting outrageously with every woman he meets. He wagers a bet with his comrades that he can seduce any woman - and that `any woman` turns out to be none other than disinterested divorcee Marie-Louise Rivere (Michele Morgan). Needless to say, Marie-Louise`s feisty standoffishness is an aphrodisiac of the highest order, and it`s not long before the tables seem to be turned on our hero. The witty script transcends the translated sub-title barrier and is a lot of fun.

The film is full of beautiful people - from the principals through to support cast like Brigitte Bardot, Dany Carel, and Magali Noel.

It`s a vibrantly colourful film, using that wonderful stock and processing that defined the era (late 1950`s / early 1960`s), though it`s a very `stagy` production, filmed entirely in studio lots. But don`t let that put you off. Like a damn good play, this is thoroughly enjoyable from the outset, and as it`s predictable, almost formulaic plot unfolds, it`s part of the charm that you know what`s going to happen before it actually does.

I guess this could be put neatly into what fellow reviewer Mark Oates would term a `comfort movie` - great fun to watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon, warming all the right places.

Video

Sadly (as in common with most Cest La Vie releases) this is presented in 4:3. However, it`s a smart transfer with very little sign of wear and tear. The same cannot be said for some of the extra features though!

Audio

The sound here is crisp and precise, and is not untypical of audio of the era. The music (George Van Parys) is perfect for the movie, reflecting both the military gravitas and the light-hearted romantic air when appropriate.

Features

There are a surprising number of extras on this disc, including a rather cheesy `Hollywood Remembers` documentary about Brigitte Bardot.






With an irritating American voice-over, which sounds identical to the voice used to narrate all those Disney Nature films in the 1950`s, this documentary is little more than a series of trailers (in pretty bad shape) glued together with a number of production and publicity stills. Not worth the effort.

Also included is a short film by Rene Clair called `Entr` acte` - which is a surreal monochromatic montage set to the music of Eric Satie. It`s bizarre and unfathomable, yet enjoyable nonetheless. How this could come from the imagination of the Director responsible for the straightforward approach to `Les Grande Manoeuvres` is anyone`s guess!

An alternative ending is offered up here, which is surprisingly shocking, and it`s no surprise that the studios opted for the ending that is included on the main feature.

There are biographies (of the scrolling text variety) for Brigitte Bardot, Rene Clair, Michele Morgan and Gerard Philip, as well as a `Gallery` of stills, which are very like watching the movie- only it doesn`t move, begging the question `why bother?`.

Finally, there are a couple of trailers for other movies (featuring BB) available on Cest La Vie.

Conclusion

This period romantic comedy really is a lot of fun, despite the necessity for sub-titles unless your French is up to scratch. It`s a witty and satisfying story where a charming womaniser finally meets his match - and falls in love! The script is fresh and witty, the performances are all superb and, despite the fact that this is little shown on British television, it`s quite possible Director Rene Clair`s finest hour. Frustratingly offered up here in 4:3, it`s actually a very fine print that has been carefully digitised and transferred. Thoroughly recommended.