L'aile ou la cuisse (1976)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Claude Zidi

Writers:

Claude Zidi (writer)
Michel Fabre (writer)

Release Date:

27 October 1976 (France)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Charles Duchemin, a well-known gourmet and publisher of a famous restaurant guide, is waging a war against...

Plot Keywords:

Food | Restaurant | Gourmet | Clown | Circus

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Louis de Funès	...	Charles Duchemin
Coluche	...	Gérard Duchemin
Ann Zacharias	...	Marguerite #2 - la secrétaire intérimaire
Julien Guiomar	...	Jacques Tricatel
Claude Gensac	...	Marguerite #1 - la secrétaire de Duchemin
Georges Chamarat	...	Le doyen des académiciens
Jean Martin	...	Le médecin
Fernand Guiot	...	Dubreuil - un collaborateur de Duchemin
Gérard Boucaron	...	Ficelle
Antoine Marin	...	Un collaborateur de Duchemin
Yves Afonso	...	Le faux plombier
Raymond Bussières	...	Henri - le chauffeur de Duchemin
Philippe Bouvard	...	Philippe Bouvard - l'animateur du débat
Marcel Dalio	...	Le tailleur de Duchemin (as Dalio)
Vittorio Caprioli	...	Vittorio - le patron d'un restaurant

Also Known As:

The Wing and the Thigh (International: English title)

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | France:U | Sweden:Btl | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Auberge Saint-Pierre, Dampierre-en-Yvelines, Yvelines, France

Company:

Les Films Christian Fechner

Trivia:

'Louis de Funes' had had a heart attack one year earlier and this marked his return to movies. The ads were supposed to have only his name above the title with Coluche's name in the lower credits. It was Louis de Funès himself who insisted that the posters should announce "De Funes and Coluche" above the title

Quotes:

Charles Duchemin: Call an Ambulance!
Marguerite #1: But my leg is broken!
Charles Duchemin: Good thinking call an employment agency i'l have to replace you

Classic Comedy

I first saw "L'aile ou la cuisse" as a little kid, with my nose glued to the screen, and when I saw it again as a grown man, my children and grandchildren gathered around my feet, stroking my white beard and smoking a pipe, it was amazing how many of the jokes I could still remember verbatim. To me Louis de Funès is one of the greatest comedic actors, and I could sit for hours just watching a loop of him when he goes "Ooh!", his content "petit bonhomme" face exploding in a brief moment of heartfelt, yet premeditated rage; unfortunately he often squandered his talent in formulaic money makers such as the "Gendarme of St. Tropez" series (not that I wouldn't love those either, but they are more "good for a few laughs" than "must - see classic"). In "L'Aile ou la cuisse", finally, Funès talent is matched with a decent director and story line, allowing him to remain true to his schtick while gaining depth (not a lot, but just enough).

"L'aile ou la cuisse" is this type of film: if one day I should watch it and not find it funny anymore, then I know that it's time for me to leave this earth. Thank you Louis!