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Cast
Jean-Pierre Cassel
as Candide
Daliah Lavi
as Cunégonde
Pierre Brasseur
as Pangloss
Louis de Funès
as Officier de la Gestapo
Michel Simon
as Colonel Nanar, du cadre de réserve
Jean Poiret
as Le premier policier / Policeman
Michel Serrault
as Le second policier / Policeman
Jean Tissier
as Le docteur Jacques
Luis Mariano
as Un dictateur sud américain / South American Dictator
Nadia Gray
as La dame de compagnie / Dame
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1960
Runtime1h 28m
LanguageFrench
CertificationNR
GenresComedy
Votes14
DirectorNorbert Carbonnaux
WritersNorbert Carbonnaux
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.4 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsCandide or The Optimism in the 20th Century
About Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century
Charming and innocent, Candide is vigorously chased away by the Baron, for his close encounters with the pretty Cunégonde. World War II breaks out, and when he is drafted and taken prisoner, he is forced to take German nationality and ends up guarding the camp where he was imprisoned. He crossed into Switzerland, but as he had no bank account, he was incarcerated for eight days for trespassing. Hunted by the Gestapo, he kills two men to free Cunégonde, who has finally been found. They both flee to Argentina, and their world tour begins. In Paris, Moscow, New York, Borneo and Alexandria. They try to follow Dr. Pangloss' optimistic rule of life. Tossed about, separated, they find themselves grown old and wiser, thinking only of cultivating their garden on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Directed by Norbert Carbonnaux, Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century leans on a strong ensemble — Jean-Pierre Cassel, Daliah Lavi, Pierre Brasseur — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1960.
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