Fanfan La Tulipe (Fan-Fan the Tulip) (1952)

78% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(854 ratings)

Pauline Kael once characterized the French adventure film Fanfan the Tulip as a "Louis XV western". This is a pretty broad interpretation, though it is true that the film never stops moving--an excellent method of sustaining audience attention and plugging up the plot holes. Gerard Philipe plays… More Pauline Kael once characterized the French adventure film Fanfan the Tulip as a "Louis XV western". This is a pretty broad interpretation, though it is true that the film never stops moving--an excellent method of sustaining audience attention and plugging up the plot holes. Gerard Philipe plays Fanfan, a handsome, athletic and self-impressed young peasant soldier. Fanfan is as adept in the boudoir as on the battlefield; it has been prophesied that he will wed the king's daughter, thus he wants to get as much practice as possible. Fanfan's many conquests include Gina Lollobridgida and Genevieve Page, which may be why this film did so well in the States. Fanfan the Tulip is available in several shorter versions, one of which has been redubbed Soldier in Love. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Christian-Jaque
Written By: René Wheeler, Rene Fallet
Genres: Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: May 4, 1953 Limited
On DVD: Apr 3, 2003
Studio: Rialto

Critic Reviews

Desson Thomson, Washington Post
You get a sense not only of Philipe's professional training, which clearly honed his skills in choreography and movement, but also of his natural charms. That the actor performs so effortlessly, so casually, is the real magic here.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Starring the go-to couple of Gérard Philipe and Gina Lollobrigida, it features duels, chases and low-cut costumes, all in glorious black and white.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Enjoyable but undeniably creaky; what played as glorious period tomfoolery to European festival juries and discerning U S audiences in the early 1950s now just seems quaintly pleased with itself.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Christian-Jaque gets a bouquet for his effort, even though it's just this side of being complete.
Jessica Winter, Village Voice
Cahiers-savvy cinephiles will recognize Fanfan as the type of handsome prestige production that the French New Wave overthrew in the early '60s, but this example of the 'cinéma de qualité' is hardly a musty artifact.
, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
[A] delightfully funny sendup of swashbuckler movies...
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Even though the film moves at a snappy pace, its story still doesn't move fast enough.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
Tiresomely tireless escapade.
Andy Klein, Los Angeles CityBeat
...a perfectly jolly swashbuckler...if a bit dated.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

Fanfan La Tulipe is a charming adventure romance comedy infused with enjoyable sword choreography featuring a mischievous Fanfan in search of love and destiny. Playful.
Wahida K

The Original one was Brilliant as well the Remake with Vincent Perez.