Jocelyn Quivrin was to play the lead,but he died before the shooting :that's why the movie is dedicated to him.
Jérémie Rénier became "Philibert ,Capitaine Puceau " (= Virgin Captain);directed by Sylvain Fusée (whose surname means "rocket")! Rénier is certainly one of the ten best European actors of today:At ease in dramas and in comedies ,he has plenty of go,of humor,and the part of a clumsy oaf was tailor made for him .
It's the sixteenth century ,folks,in the kingdom of France and Philibert's father ,who grows artichokes ,sees his cultures thrive .The boy's career is mapped out in a century hard on the poor ;besides he does not want to lose his virginity until he finds the one God intends for him.
The movie is a wonderful spoof on the swashbuckler genre, Jean Marais's costume dramas of the late fifties/early sixties and pirates sagas ,with a good dose of melodrama thrown in for good measure.
What does Philibert learn? That his father is not his father ,that he is a highborn young man,whose true dad was killed by a lord,a villain inspired by the numerous Robin Hood versions.
.A strawberry mark proves it. So long,artichokes,hello adventures !Philibert 's saga will be eventful ,the hardest thing being to keep his virginity (hence his nickname).And there are enough gorgeous ladies on his way to make the task difficult.
Vive Philibert!And Vive Rénier!
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