Okay, picture this: browsing the slightly chaotic shelves of your favourite video rental store back in the day, maybe in the 'Foreign Films' section that always felt a bit intimidating but held hidden treasures. You stumble across a box with a slightly goofy cover, promising wartime hijinks. You take a chance on Papy fait de la résistance (often found simply as Gramps Is in the Resistance on English-language tapes), pop it in the VCR later that night, and discover not just a movie, but a full-blown French comedy phenomenon. This 1983 hit wasn't just a film in its homeland; it was a cultural moment, a riotous farce that took the grim backdrop of the Nazi occupation of Paris and turned it into a playground for some of France's greatest comedic talents.
### Not Your Average War Story
Forget sombre reflections on heroism under fire. Papy fait de la résistance, directed by the maestro of manic French comedy Jean-Marie Poiré (who would later give us the equally bonkers Les Visiteurs), throws historical reverence out the window with gleeful abandon. The story centers on the Bourdelle family, upper-middle-class Parisians whose opulent apartment is requisitioned by the occupying German forces. Patriarch André Bourdelle (played with sputtering brilliance by Michel Galabru) is a famous operetta composer more concerned with his career than the Resistance, while his wife Héléna (Jacqueline Maillan) tries desperately to maintain appearances. Their son-in-law, Michel Taupin (Martin Lamotte, who also co-wrote), fancies himself a Resistance hero but is mostly just… well, incompetent. And then there's the actual "Papy" (Grandpa), supposedly a Resistance legend, whose spirit (and hidden cellar) fuels much of the chaos.
Into this powder keg walks Guy-Hubert Bourdelle, aka "Super-Résistant" (Christian Clavier), a foppish hairdresser cousin forced to hide out with the family, adopting increasingly ludicrous disguises. The plot, such as it is, spins wildly out of control from there, involving mistaken identities, hidden radios, farcical seductions, and a German General Ramirez (Roland Giraud, absolutely stealing scenes) who is more interested in the opera singer Héléna than military matters.
### A Cavalcade of French Comedy Royalty
What truly elevates Papy beyond a simple parody is the sheer firepower of its cast. This film is essentially a showcase for the legendary French comedy troupe Le Splendid, whose members dominated French cinema throughout the 70s and 80s. Christian Clavier, Martin Lamotte, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Josiane Balasko – they're all here, bringing their unique comedic personas honed over years of stage and screen work. Watching them bounce off established stars like the incredible Michel Galabru (who perfectly embodies bewildered French bourgeoisie) is pure joy. This wasn't just a movie; it felt like getting invited to the funniest, most chaotic dinner party imaginable. Retro Fun Fact: The film itself was based on a successful stage play written by Clavier and Lamotte, allowing them to refine the characters and gags before hitting the big screen. The transition clearly worked – the film was a colossal hit in France, pulling in over 4 million viewers, a massive number for the time.
Jean-Marie Poiré directs with a frantic energy that perfectly suits the material. The pace is relentless, piling gag upon gag, mixing clever wordplay (though some gets lost in translation, the spirit shines through) with broad physical comedy. It’s a style that feels distinctly of its time – less polished than modern comedies, perhaps, but with a raw, almost theatrical energy that’s infectious. It’s not subtle, but it was never meant to be. It’s a film designed to make you laugh loud and often, gently poking fun at the hallowed image of the French Resistance while still acknowledging the absurdity and danger of the era.
### More Than Just Laughs?
Okay, let's be honest. Watching this on a slightly fuzzy VHS tape adds a certain charm, doesn't it? The slightly blown-out colours, the occasionally muffled sound – it somehow fits the chaotic energy. While the film is primarily a farce, it doesn't completely shy away from the setting. The presence of the German occupiers, the constant threat of discovery, the black market dealings – they're all played for laughs, but they ground the absurdity in a recognizable reality. It's a very French way of dealing with history – through humour, even when the subject matter is dark. Another Retro Fun Fact: The sheer number of cameos from huge French stars (like Jacques Villeret as Reichsmarschall Ludwig von Apfelstrudel) further cemented its status as an event movie. Getting all these names together was a logistical feat!
The humour is broad, relying heavily on caricature and stereotype (both French and German), which might land differently today. But it’s done with such gusto and self-awareness that it mostly avoids feeling mean-spirited. It’s playing with wartime tropes we’ve seen in more serious films, turning them on their head for comedic effect. Remember how those intricate escape plans always seemed to work perfectly in classic war movies? Here, they inevitably descend into utter chaos, usually thanks to Taupin's ineptitude or Clavier's flamboyant panic.
### The Verdict
Papy fait de la résistance is a glorious slice of 80s French comedy – loud, chaotic, brilliantly performed, and unashamedly silly. It’s a film powered by an ensemble cast at the peak of their comedic game, delivering rapid-fire gags under the expert hand of Jean-Marie Poiré. While perhaps less known outside of France, finding this tape felt like unearthing a hilarious secret handshake into a specific brand of European comedy. It’s a product of its time, certainly, but its energy and the sheer talent on display make it endlessly rewatchable.
Rating: 8/10 - The rating reflects its massive success and cultural impact in France, the incredible comedic talent involved, and its enduring status as a beloved farce. It loses a couple of points for humour that might feel dated or less accessible to international audiences unfamiliar with Le Splendid or the specific context, but the sheer fun factor is undeniable.
Final Thought: For pure, unadulterated 80s farce delivered with Gallic flair, Papy fait de la résistance is a Resistance movement you’ll happily join, even if it’s just from your couch with a rewind button. Vive la VHS!