The Gendarme celebrates its 60th anniversary
Sixty years ago, The gendarme of Saint-Tropez arrives on the screens, marking the beginning of an essential saga of French cinema. This film, directed by Jean Girault and carried forward by a nascent Louis de Funès, not only won the hearts of the spectators across several generationsbut also spawned a series of six films that attracted more than 35 million viewers in total, over a period of 18 years. A look at the beginnings of this cult saga that is still part of French cinematic heritage today.
Published in 1964, The gendarme of Saint-Tropez (with its misleading song lyrics) quickly became a phenomenal success. The film tells the adventures of Ludovic Cruchot (played by Louis de Funès), an ambitious and somewhat rigid gendarme, who is transferred to the quiet coastal town of Saint-Tropez. Together with his daughter Nicole (played by Geneviève Grad), Cruchot will find himself confronted with situations as absurd as they are comical, whether they are carefree tourists or a gang of photo thieves.
Upon its release, the film received a triumphant reception. Louis de Funès’s comic talent, then in full swing, seduced the public. His character Cruchot, with his exaggerated facial expressions, his boundless energy and his way of gesticulating, immediately became iconic.
A saga spanning decades
After the success of the first work, the saga of Agent It doesn’t take long to develop. Jean Girault and his team decided to capitalize on the enthusiasm generated by Cruchot and his brigade by quickly launching a sequel, The Agent in New York (1965), where the gendarmes of Saint-Tropez find themselves this time in the United States, in a series of equally incredible situations (including a scene censored by the French gendarmerie).
With five more films released between 1964 and 1982, the saga established itself as a pillar of French comedy. Each film follows a similar pattern, with Cruchot and his band of gendarmes (Michel Galabru, Jean Lefebvre, Christian Marin and Guy Grosso, among others) immersed in misunderstandings and unlikely adventures. Among the most important films, we can mention The Gendarme gets married (1968) and The Gendarme on a walk (1970), which further develop Cruchot’s personal life, particularly through his marriage to Josépha, played by Claude Gensac.
The success of the saga is largely based on the charisma of Louis de Funès, whose facial expressions, facial expressions and energy have made millions of viewers laugh. The rest of the cast, especially Michel Galabru as Marshal Gerber, also brings a touch of comic complicity. The strength of these films lies in their ability to renew eccentric situations while remaining faithful to Cruchot’s exuberant personality.
With over 35 million cumulative entries, The gendarme of Saint-Tropez and his followers became essentials of French cinema. The saga has not only marked the cinema of the 60s and 70s, but continues to be broadcast regularly on television, always attracting a large audience. The popularity of the films of Agent does not weaken, and each generation seems to rediscover with pleasure these light comedies that capture the timeless humor of Louis de Funès.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
