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A modern farce about medieval life, this is a time-travel comedy by French director Jean-Marie Poire. A 12th-century nobleman, Godefroy (Jean Reno), and his squire Jacquouille (Christian Clavier) are the victims of a mistake by an aging wizard. While trying to work another spell, the sorcerer accidentally transports the pair to the late 20th century. To his great dismay, Godefroy finds that his family is now poor and has sold their estate to Jacquouille's rich descendants, including Jacquart (also played by Clavier). The insensitive new owners plan to turn the castle into a modern hotel. Meanwhile, the sorcerer asks his own descendant for help in trying to get his charges to return back to medieval times. The film, which details with comic precision the differences in manners and technology between the two eras, was a huge hit in France.~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide |
Radio Times
The French have never been particularly prone to sequelitis, but Jean-Marie Poiré succumbed on this occasion and made a pretty fair job of re-creating both the madcap comedy and commercial success of the original. Opening with a neat illuminated manuscript reprise, the action darts back and forth through time, as 12th-century knight Jean Reno returns to the future to avert a curse on his forthcoming marriage. Just as Reno doubles up as a long-lost playboy, so Christian Clavier alternates between playing his mischievous vassal and a prissy estate manager, beset by wolves and the inquisition. Patchy, but energetically played and gleefully anarchic.
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Halliwell's Film Guide
Broad farce that will appeal to lovers of Carry On films.