Fanfan la Tulipe

Director: Christian-Jaque
Year Released: 1952
Rating: 3.0

The lengths some guys will go to not get married. Gadabout Fanfan (Gérard Philipe) - modeled after Fairbanks and Flynn - joins up with the military because of (bad) advice from a gypsy (Gina Lollobrigida) to avoid being forced to wed some gal he's been diddling in the hay, but the military doesn't suit his freewheeling, independent style, leading to imprisonment, sword fighting and, eventually, saving France and getting the (right) girl. Fun, bouncy adventure picture with plenty of stunts and action: it's a family movie about making the most out of whatever situation you're handed (even at the risk of getting hanged) and also about war being ridiculous and waged by men with no concern over the lives of those being slaughtered. It is also about Lollobrigida's ample bust.