Fantomas appears to be one of the most famous figures in French pop culture (his first appearances in cinema date back to the early 1910s!), and yet this is the first time I get around to watching a film with him in it. Fairly clearly intended to be mostly a set-up for further screen adventures, this film is short on story but long on stuntwork, much of which is quite admirable. My hat goes off to Jean Marais for at least one amazing stunt of him (and it IS clearly him) climbing a ladder hanging from a helicopter as it flies away (no James Bond actor ever did something like that - they always relied on stunt doubles). Another highlight is a wild ride on a car with no breaks down a twisting mountain road! As a comedy, the film is occasionally funny. The hyperkinetic, frequently mugging Louis De Funes will not appeal to everyone's taste - he's not THAT far removed in style from Franco and Ciccio, the equally popular at the time Italian comedians; you can take that as a compliment or as a pan, it's up to you! **1/2 out of 4.
Review of Fantomas
