Two unlikely companions must smuggle four suitcases filled with contraband pork across Nazi-occupied Paris.
Acting
Gabin and Bourvil's chemistry is pure cinematic alchemy.
Direction
Autant-Lara balances dread and farce without dropping a beat.
Writing
Dialogue so sharp it'll cut through 70 years.
Director
Claude Autant-Lara
Jean Gabin
Grandgil, artist painter
Bourvil
Marcel Martin, unemployed taxi driver
Louis de Funès
Jambier, grocer
Jeannette Batti
Mariette Martin, Marcel's wife
Georgette Anys
Lucienne Couronne, owner of the Belotte cafe
Robert Arnoux
Marchandot, butcher
Laurence Badie
Restaurant waitress
Myno Burney
Angèle Marchandot, butcher
Germaine Delbat
Restaurant customer
Monette Dinay
Mrs. Jambier, grocer
Jean Dunot
Alfred Couronne, owner of the Belotte cafe
Bernard Lajarrige
Policeman
Jacques Marin
Owner of the restaurant Saint Martin
Hubert de Lapparent
Nervous hostage
Hans Verner
German motorcyclist
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Louis de Funès has barely three minutes of screen time as the frantic grocer Jambier—yet steals the entire film, launching his iconic career.
Released during the Algerian War, the film's Occupation setting let French audiences process collaboration guilt through safer historical displacement.
FR
