Watch Cartouche

Cartouche is a French adventure film that tells the story of a notorious thief in pre-revolutionary France. The main protagonist, Cartouche, is played by the handsome and charismatic Jean-Paul Belmondo, who delivers a performance that captivates audiences from the very beginning until the end of the movie. Set during the 18th century, the film is a classic swashbuckling adventure that takes us through the dangerous streets of Paris, where Cartouche has made a name for himself as the leader of a gang of pickpockets and thieves. However, when he crosses paths with a beautiful courtesan named Venus, played by the stunning Claudia Cardinale, he finds himself drawn into a web of betrayal and deceit that threatens to destroy everything he has worked so hard to achieve.

One of the most striking aspects of Cartouche is the way it portrays the harsh realities of life in pre-revolutionary France. The movie presents a vivid and immersive depiction of the squalid underworld of the time, where poverty and crime were rampant, and the only way to survive was through cunning and brute force.

Belmondo's Cartouche is a complex character who is both sympathetic and ruthless at the same time. He is a thief, a scoundrel, and a murderer, but he is also a man who is driven by a fierce sense of loyalty to his comrades, and a desire for justice in a world that is stacked against him.

Cardinale delivers a powerhouse performance as Venus, the beautiful courtesan who seeks to use Cartouche for her own ends. Her character is at once alluring and dangerous, and she brings a depth of emotional complexity to the film that is rarely seen in other movies of its kind.

Rounding out the main cast is Jess Hahn, who plays the bumbling and hapless Lieutenant General of Police, who is charged with bringing Cartouche to justice. Hahn provides much of the comedic relief in the movie, and his scenes are a welcome respite from the tension and drama that permeate the rest of the film.

One of the standout features of Cartouche is its stunning cinematography. The movie is shot with a keen eye for detail, and the picturesque landscapes and richly realized interiors of the period are breathtaking to behold. From the narrow alleyways of Paris to the opulent ballrooms of the aristocracy, the film immerses viewers in a bygone era that feels as real and tangible as the present day.

Despite its status as a classic of French cinema, many viewers today may find the pacing of the film somewhat slow by modern standards. This is a movie that takes its time to develop its characters and plot, and some audience members may find themselves growing restless during the film's more languid moments.

Nevertheless, for those who are willing to invest the time and attention necessary to fully appreciate it, Cartouche is a cinematic tour-de-force that will leave them captivated and beguiled long after the credits have rolled. With its unforgettable performances, sumptuous visuals, and thrilling action sequences, it is a classic tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that deserves a place in the pantheon of great adventure films.

Cartouche is a 1962 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.