Our March selection of French films on TV5MONDE Cinema on Demand

For the month of March, TV5MONDE Cinema On Demand is featuring one of France's biggest action stars, Jean-Paul Belmondo, known for delivering a dose of comedy alongside his impressive stunts. From the dangerous world of burglary rings in Le doulos, to the overactive imagination of a crime novel writer in Le magnifique, Jean-Paul Belmondo's many adventures will keep you on the edge of your seat!

L'as des as (1982)

In French with English subtitles. Available beginning March 27.

A massive box-office hit, this war comedy debuts on the heels of France's classic La Grande Vadrouille, with great success.

In 1936, French boxer Jo Cavalier is traveling to Berlin for the Olympics when he encounters Simon Rosenblum, a young Jewish boy who needs help escaping the Nazis.

"Fast moving and benefiting greatly from a well-written script, L'as des as is a hugely entertaining film." - FrenchFilms

DirectorGérard Oury
With: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Frank Hoffmann, Marie-France Pisier
Genre: Comedy

Stavisky (1974)

In French with English subtitles. Available beginning March 20.

Based on the incredible true story of a con man, Stavisky is a remarkable and complex drama and one of Alain Resnais' most stylish film.

Small-time swindler Serge Alexandre, alias: Stavisky, uses irresistable charm to make friends with the influential French elite, but when his current scam is exposed it brings the country to the brink of civil war.

"The picture is technically brilliant, visually stunning, and ceaselessly interesting." - TV Guide

Director: Alain Resnais
With: Anny Duperey, François Périer
Genre: Comedy

Le magnifique (1973)

In French with English subtitles. Available beginning March 20.

Take Austin Powers, add even more surrealism, along with the charisma of JeanPaul Belmondo and you'll find the supremely entertaining comedy Le magnifique, about a writer looking for inspiration, merging himself with his fictional super spy character in the process.

A writer of pulp crime novels is working on his latest book, imagining himself as the ace spy Bob Saint-Clair and his neighbor, Christiane, becomes the agent's intriguing love interest.

"Very reminiscent of the era in which it was made, Le Magnifique is an ebullient mix of the truly bizarre and original which gives it a rare timeless quality." - FrenchFilms

DIrector: Philippe de Broca
With: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jacqueline Bisset, Vittorio Caprioli
Genre: Comedy

Le doulos (1963)

In French with English subtitles. Available beginning March 6.

A fascinating traditional noir film, creating with gusto a hazy atmosphere in the streets of Paris.

Maurice and Silien are two friends with a dark past. Silien decides to give up his illegal activities and turn over a new leaf, but Maurice is suspicious of his motives, believing his friend to be a police informant.

"Superbly shot in high-contrast monochrome, it unfolds in a stylised universe where character is defined by actions and costumes rather than words." - Total Film

DirectorJean-Pierre Melville 
With: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Serge Reggiani, Fabienne Dali
Genre: Drama

Léon Morin, prêtre (1961)

In French with English subtitles. Aailable beginning March 20 Mars.

Melville builds tension remarkably in this film, going into depth the complex feelings of his characters, brilliantly embodied by Emmanuel Riva and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

In a small town in the French Alps during the Occupation, Barney, a young widow who has lost her faith, enters the local church on a whim and strikes up a connection with the young, intelligent priest. 

"A fascinating, unexpected movie that fans of French film in general, and Melville in particular, will not want to miss" - Los Angeles Times

Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
With: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Emmanuelle Riva, Howard Vernon
Genre: Drama

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