Sorry, this movie sucks

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

One of the funniest comedies made for the French cinema was inspired by none other than Victor Hugo's "Ruy Blas". The film served its purpose to delight and amuse, as the unorthodox pairing of Yves Montand, one of the biggest stars in France, and Louis De Funes, a comic genius who is seen at his best in the film, were directed by Gerard Oury. The screenplay was written by Daniele Thompson, the director's daughter, Marcel Julian and Mr. Oury.The result is a sort of what feels like a French Western filmed mostly in Spain, the locale where many other pictures of the genre were shot. The action involve a corrupt tax collector Don Salluste Bazan and his servant, the rascal Blaze, out to create hell for a master whose only passion is about how much is he going to chisel out from the royal coffers. "Delusions of Grandeur" is one of the funniest films of that period. The wonderful Yves Montand shows his versatility as Blaze, a resourceful man, whose only purpose in life is to expose his deceitful employer. A sort of Robin Hood, if you will, who gave back to the exploited folks the tribute they were asked to pay the crown. Louis De Funes, a fine comic actor, shows the actor in an inspired role, who in spite of being so mean, manages to make the viewer laughs throughout the movie.Michel Polnareff's music reminds us of some of Ennio Morricone's compositions for those notorious "Spaghetti Westerns" where he provided the music. Henri Decae takes us all over Spain to show us great scenery as well as fancy interiors as befitting the court of a Spanish painted by Diego Velazquez, perhaps.

Another one of those 4 euro VHS specials from the dusty bin, but one I was looking forward to seeing. I thought it was pleasantly passable and will watch it again. Highlights: Defunes is funny as always, squeaking and quacking like a broken duck call. To quote from one of the earlier films "Il m'epate!" he's astonishing in being able to deliver so much physical comedy. Bouncing around like a beach ball, puffed up like a banty rooster, barely able to keep his giant ego intact while being chased by peasants with pitchforks or trying to escape a bedroom peccadillo. And I love his mugging - especially the greedy glitter in his squinty eyes.Yves Montand is surprisingly funny. The final scene where he and Defunes are stuck on the windlass as human donkeys in some nameless North African desert is hilarious. But all in all I think Bourvil did this kind of role better. Montand is suave and dumb, while Bourvil is dumb yet impossibly suave, and has a touch of human kindness. I do like Montand as Papet in the Florette films, and even more so with a cigarette hanging from his lips in Wages of Fear. I like him here, too, but he does suave and sinister best.All in all, entertaining. But I'll watch the Corniaud several times before I watch this again.

This movie is something my mother and her brothers have talked about since I can remember myself. It was showed on TV here in Iceland some 30 years ago and after few minutes when they realized how funny it was, they threw a videotape in to own it. Couple of years later the Adventures of Jacob the Rabbin was also showed and of course they made sure to own that one too. Since then they've been on the lookout for French comedies. I finally saw this movie 2 weeks ago.I don't speak French (besides "oui", "mademoiselle" and "monsieur") but just looking at Louis de Funès and Yves Montand talking and acting is hilarious! The plot is more than in many comedies today, it's timeless in a way, you only need to have eyes or ears to enjoy this film! The second time I saw this film I was laughing before the scenes had happened.Truly a masterpiece. I'm beginning to adore French movies, I think.

Yves Montand at his best, even for those, who deny intellectual appearances with him. De Funes tries to overtake him with his abilities, and the spectator is the winner. Unfortunately this movie had been squeezed in the mills of cold war time, but don't exaggerate. Turn your color-button up and enjoy.