Storyline

Roguish young peasant Fanfan (Gérard Philipe) escapes being wed to a farm girl when a gypsy, Adeline (Gina Lollobrigida), predicts that he'll find glory in the army, then marry a princess. After enlisting, Fanfan learns that Adeline is the recruiter's daughter and offered a phony prediction to get him to join, but he decides to make the fortune come true anyway. During a sword fight, he rescues the grateful king's daughter, which convinces him that fate is on his side.

Plot Keywords

peasant, gypsy, sergeant, princess, marquess, king, playful, campy, madcap, village, farm, field, palace, road, swordplay, romance, ambition, deception, rescue, hanging, adventure, quest, 1750s

Short Review

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.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership