Hibernatus

For the second time director Edouard Molinaro and French comic star Louis De Funès worked together, after "Oscar" (1967).

In 1969 a group of scientists discover a frozen body, which belongs to a young man of 1900. This man still lives and after many adventures his custody is granted to his family (Louis De Funès and his wife, who is...the granddaughter of the man!). For avoiding him the big shock of living at the end of the Sixties, all his family dress and behave as if they were at the beginning of the century!

The comedy shows again the qualities of De Funès, who was unique with grimaces and nervous tics. The French actor was like a clown, many children and adults adored him.

"Hibernatus" is a nice movie, although a little too pretentious -De Funès made better films-. The story is a bit absurd, but the picture is still watchable for his leading actor.

Its sorta kinda amusing in a way, and so forth. Just basically.

This is a neat little comedy about a man who has survived in a frozen state for more than half a century. When he wakes up (not having aged at all) all his surroundings have been adapted to make him believe he is still living in his own time. Of course, this charade cannot be maintained for very long.

This is a pleasant little comedy, giving people a nice excuse to wear colourful old-fashioned clothes, without necessarily behaving the way the clothes and the decor would indicate. The film has its weaknesses, in particular it is difficult to see why the scientists go through all the trouble. Worse, Olivier de Funes (who plays it straight) lacks the required charisma to carry the film, and we don't get quite enough action from his famous father.

This was neither the first nor the last film to ever explore the idea of a person out of time and the follies that ensue, but it might well be the silliest. Jean Bernard-Luc and Jacques Vilfrid go to great lengths in their screenplay to shape the most ridiculous farce that they could, from the introduction of high-strung businessman Hubert and those around him, to the thawing of the ice man and efforts to claim him, and amazingly becoming more outrageous still in the second half as preposterous accommodations go awry. The characters, dialogue, scene writing, and narrative at large are all specifically bent toward feverish energy and blustery nonsense, and from top to bottom we're treated to substantial detail to flesh out these elements. I'm personally of the mind that 'Hibernatus' doesn't make a big impression at first, possibly even feeling a tad forced, but it's well done all the while - and the second half is so strong that it unquestionably makes up for earlier relative weakness, and then some. Ultimately this is a classic that's very much worth the wait for it to build strength, equally smart and funny and well worth seeking out.

Filmmaker Édouard Molinaro follows Bernard-Luc and Vilfrid's guiding ethos to the letter with direction that maintains the unfettered zip throughout all of these eighty-two minutes. Every scene buzzes with thrumming electricity, and I can only imagine that every shooting day was fun at least as much as it was work. Of course, Molinaro's task is made much easier by a terrific ensemble, as every actor fully leans into the zestful tenor of the project. Louis de Funès has the most star power, and proves why with a performance that especially makes use of his animated personality and comportment, but his co-stars handily keep up. At one point or another Claude Gensac, Bernard Alane, Michel Lonsdale, Pascal Mazzotti, Martine Kelly, Paul Préboist, and everyone else all have a moment to shine, and the high spirits they bring to the picture are a major component of its success.

It also can't be overstated how fantastic this looks in every other capacity. These are some gorgeous sets that were constructed for this, most of them in the latter half, and I'd love to pour over every inch of the de Tartas home. Likewise, the costume design is plainly outstanding; between these two facets alone it sure seems like the producers "spared no expense," as the saying goes. The hair and makeup is no less excellent, any stunts and effects that are employed come off swell, and Monique Isnardon's snappy editing lends in its own way to the vitality of the proceedings. The themes of composer extraordinaire Georges Delerue mostly stick to the background, but mirror the light, playful mood at all times, and Raymond Pierre Lemoigne's cinematography is splendidly sharp. Granted, all these aspects pale in comparison to the writing, and in turn the direction and acting, but suffice to say that everything comes together wonderfully well to make 'Hibernatus' the superbly entertaining delight that it is. I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it's a total must-see, but if you do have the opportunity to watch, there's definitely no going wrong with this. Appropriate for all ages and recommended for all comers, this is a joyful romp that's well worth checking out!

De Funes movies have filled my childhood and "Hibernatus" didn't leave me a good memory. At the time, I couldn't stand the doctor (Londsale) and the "hibernatus". In addition, i felt stuck in the big old furnished mansion.

Today, I find it rather enjoyable. The "hibernatus" really appears during the second half of the movie and the interview of the actor 30 years later available on the bonus helps soften his character. Moreover, De Funes steals the show as always and has the genius to turn "bad" guys into memorable characters.

As I underlined in other reviews, a truly good comedy surprises you at each viewing because you can't remember all the funny moments. This is also the case here.

In comparison with today movies, its short length (80 min) is appreciable because it's fast paced and has no time out.