Les Aventures de Till L'Espiègle (1956)
Directed by Gérard Philipe, Joris Ivens

Film Review

Gérard Philipe's one and only directorial credit was for this ambitious adaptation of a well-known 19th Century novel by the Belgian writer Charles De Coster.  By the time he made this film, Philipe was one of the leading stage and screen actors in France, although his career would be cut short a few years later with his premature death.  As well as directing the film, Philipe also plays the lead role, one that is reminiscent of the heroic swashbuckler that he had played in Fanfan la Tulipe (1952), one of his most popular films.

The release of Les Aventures de Till L'Espiègle coincided with the Soviets' decision to send tanks into Budapest in November 1959.  This may have contributed to the lukewarm reaction the film received, and its flop effectively curtailed Gérard Philipe's filmmaking aspirations.   Although somewhat dated and occasionally very silly (the ice skating chase sequence being a case in point), the film manages to be an enjoyable historical romp, enlivened by a rich palate that evokes the paintings of Pieter Bruegel.

Film Synopsis

In the 16th century, Flanders is under Spanish occupation, something that causes resentment and hostility across the whole country.  The inhabitants of one small village, Damme, appear indifferent to the occupation, until a squad of Spanish soldiers ransack the area and murder several of the villagers for no reason.  One person who is most strongly affected by this atrocity is a young man named Till, who had to witness his father being burned alive in the course of the gruesome onslaught.  Seething with anger, he swears that one day he will have his revenge.  With that in mind, he cleverly inveigles his way into the court of the Duke of Albe in the guise of a jester.  By exercising considerable cunning, the enterprising Till is soon lending his support to rescuing the Prince of Orange who, along with several Flemish noblemen, are planning to bring an end to the Spanish rule of their country.  His adventures over, Till is glad to be reunited with his beloved fiancée Néle...