Achtung, fertig, Charlie! (2003)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Mike Eschmann

Writers:

David Keller (writer)
Michael Sauter (writer)

Release Date:

13 May 2004 (Russia)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

The "Original" Swiss Army Comedy

Plot:

In a Swiss church, Antonio Carrera is getting married to the pretty daughter of an Italian Mafioso, as army police marches in and takes him to the compulsory Swiss military school. |

Plot Keywords:

Masturbation | Sex | Swiss Army

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Michael Koch	...	Antonio Carrera
Melanie Winiger	...	Michelle Bluntschi
Myriam Aegerter	...	Laura Moretti (as Mia Aegerter)
Marco Rima	...	Hauptmann Franz Reiker
Martin Rapold	...	Korporal Weiss
Max Rüdlinger	...	Divisionär
Nicolas Steiner	...	Rekrut Schlönz
Kaya Inan	...	Rekrut Weber
Màrio Almer	...	Rekrut Schaffner
Mike Müller	...	Paolo
Lukas Frey	...	Rekrut Gmür
Pascal Nussbaumer	...	Rekrut Furgler
Jean Vocat	...	Rekrut Lombard
Max Sartore	...	Grenadier Cpl. Hinkel
Laila Nielsen	...	Billie

Also Known As:

À vos marques, prêts, Charlie! (Switzerland: French title)
Ready, Steady, Charlie! (International: English title)

Runtime:

92 min | USA:90 min

Country:

Switzerland

Language:

Swiss German | French | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Germany:12

Company:

Zodiac Pictures International

Movie Connections:

References The Bodyguard (1992)

Soundtrack:

World At It's Best

Damn it, but it's the truth

Now here is the truth about 'Achtung, fertig, Charlie!': I've read other user's comments and I got the feeling they didn't like the movie but I can tell you why: because they are Swiss themselves and they don't like to hear the truth.

Now lemme tell ya: It is the truth. Good things first: I'm from Germany. That's why I can tell. I used to work with a bunch of Swiss blokes and the two main topics were Dope and the Mafia. No - not Army pocket knives, nor cheese, banks or Cuckoo-clocks, but Dope and the Mafia. So here we are - the movie shows Switzerland exactly as it is.

About the movie itself: you can always argue about the acting, but this was not Shakespeare nor Lessing, but genuine Swiss acting. So we will not be so picky about certain aspects of acting that could have been better. Let's take what this movie was made for: delivering a feeling how it is to be Swiss. And they did - just that! And splendidly!

Besides, it is a funny movie, spiced with good jokes for those who listen carefully. And a touching love story, too. Just go and watch it!

By the way: you might want to check out "Die Schweizermacher" - 'cause it's worth it!