Great Movie, but this VHS Tape is Awful
After years of trying to get a copy of this wonderful movie and checking on Amazon, suddenly it became available on VHS at Amazon last summer and I ordered a copy. What arrived, is NOT an original studio release. Instead it was a generic tape with a typed white label. When I put it in to view, what I found was a very grainy image with a dubbed English soundtrack. I was very disappointed.

My guess is that someone found a copy of the 1972 poor U.S. release at a flea market somewhere and has taken a position that the copyright has entered the public domain after 28 years as per statutory section 17 USC 303 of the copyright law and is publishing copies of that worn out flea market copy.

The magically disappearing video tape ---
This is my second purchase of this video. My first copy was loaned to a friend, who loaned it to a friend, who circulated it among all their family and friends, who have passed it on out of my reckoning. Have some friends over for snacks, and play this in series with the Hollywood rip-off, "The Man with One Red Shoe". THIS, the original version, has class.

One Of The Greatest Comedies In Existence
This movie has perfect casting and I definitely would not change a single thing aboout it. Also the score provides excelent atmosphere to the movie and is full of beautiful flure melodies. The movie opens as Toulous, a Counter-Intelligence chief notices that one of his helpers, colonel Milan, is becoming a bit too power hungry after a drug scandal involving Milan and in an attempt to find out what he is up to, a random person (Pierre Richard) is chosen in the crowd at an airport and is told to be an international spy who has come to investigate the scandal... What happens next is a brilliant storyline with incredible comedy situations. I own both this movie and the sequel (Anyone who is a fan of the James Bond series will see many references and parodies in the sequel) on video and recommend both movies to EVERYONE!!!

One of the funniest French comedies of the 70's!
This is one great, classic, comedy! When it was released in 1973 it became such a hit in France that it was quickly released internationally, where it became a major hit in the US as well. The story of an unwitting schnook who is thought to be a superspy by warring factions of the French secret service provides ample fodder for farce, both slapstick and otherwise. This original version is MUCH better than the American remake starring Tom Hanks and Tom Arnold, and the casting is so perfect as to take your breath away. Among other things, I defy any male with a pulse to keep his jaw in place when the stunningly beautiful Mireille Darc (later to be Alain Delon's girlfriend) turns around in a certain black dress [grin].

For trivia buffs, it is interesting to note a few facts such as (1) the part of the conductor during the concert scene was a cameo by the director, Yves Robert; (2) the score was one of the first showcases for the pan-flute music of Zamphir; and (3) the film was such a hit that it spawned an immediate sequel (The Return of the Tall Blond Man).

Great Comedy - But Need DVD edition
Robert's comedy equals the best in the farce and satire. The script is well honed, and the direction is is sharp and subtle -not a wasted moment. But why is this classic stuck with the VHS and Laserdisc formats - is there any way to a DVD release?