Fanfan la Tulipe (1952)

Fanfan la Tulipe Original French Poster Country France Italy Directed by Christian-Jaque Release Date 1952 Language French Studio Amato Produzione Filmsonor Les Films Ariane Distributor Filmsonor Main Cast Character Actor Fanfan la Tulipe Gérard Philipe Adeline La Franchise Gina Lollobrigida Louis XV Marcel Herrand Tranche-Montagne Olivier Hussenot Sergeant Fier-à-Bras Noël Roquevert Sergeant La Franchise Nerio Bernardi Marquise de Pompadour Geneviève Page Princess Henriette Sylvie Pelayo

Fanfan la Tulipe is a 1952 French-Italian swashbuckler comedy directed by Christian-Jaque and starring Gérard Philipe and Gina Lollobrigida. The plot is set during the Seven Years' War. Fanfan, looking to escape a shotgun marriage, enlists in the French Army after Adeline, a supposed Gypsy fortune teller, foretells a brilliant career, fame, and even marriage to the King's daughter. Upon signing his pledge, Fanfan realizes that Adeline is the daughter of the recruiting Sergeant and that she has already trapped other men with false predictions. But Fanfan swears that he will make the prediction true despite all obstacles.

The movie was originally filmed in B&W. A colorized version was produced in 2000.

In 2003, a remake starring Vincent Perez and Penélope Cruz was released.

The following weapons were used in the film Fanfan la Tulipe:

Chatellerault Cavalry Model 1822 Pistol

Chatellerault Cavalry Model 1822 pistols, heavily anachronistic for the 1750s, are widely used throughout the movie, seen in the hands of Fanfan (Gérard Philipe), his friends Tranche-Montagne (Olivier Hussenot) and La Franchise (Nerio Bernardi), highwaymen, including their chieftain (Gérard Buhr), Louis XV's trusted confidant Lebel (Jean-Marc Tennberg) and his henchmen.

Chatellerault Model 1822 T Percussion Cavalry Pistol - .69 cal

A pistol rests on the drum in Sergeant La Franchise's wagon.

A closer view of another pistol in the same scene. Note the percussion mechanism that wasn't invented until the early 19th century. An early 18th century French flintlock pistol would have been more appropriate.

A highwayman holds a pistol when the gang stops the carriage belonging to Marquise de Pompadour and Princess Henriette.

Fanfan attacks the highwaymen.

Lebel's mercenary fires at pursuing Fanfan and his friends during the abduction of Adeline.

Lebel raises his pistol at Fanfan.

Adeline pistol-whips Lebel.

Fanfan holds a pair of pistols when he, Tranche-Montagne, and La Franchise accidentally sneak into the enemy headquarters and capture it.

Tranche-Montagne (at the left) holds a pair of pistols in the final scene.

Chatellerault Mle 1822 / St.Etienne Mle 1842 Percussion Cap Musket

French and Brandenburg soldiers are armed with anachronistic percussion cap muskets. They appear to be the Chatellerault Mle 1822 and St.Etienne Mle 1842. Both models look almost the same except for details on the lock, as the Mle 1822 muskets were converted from Mle 1777 flintlock guns.

For comparison: Charleville Mle 1777 Flintlock Musket - .69. Mle 1822 muskets were converted from the Mle 1777 by replacing flintlocks with percussion cap locks while all other details remained the same.

St.Etienne Mle 1842 Percussion Cap Musket - .69

Fanfan and other soldiers hold muskets during drills.

A closer view of the percussion cap locks. Fanfan's musket (in center) seems to be a converted flintlock model, most likely a Mle 1822, while the soldier at the left holds what appears to be an Mle 1842.

Soldiers hold muskets with attached bayonets.

La Franchise holds a musket when the trio capture the enemy headquarters. Judging by the shape of the muzzle cap, this gun is a St.Etienne Mle 1842.

Fanfan fires a musket from the window.

He takes more muskets.

Tranche-Montagne carries a musket with attached bayonet.

Tranche-Montagne and La Franchise carry muskets in the final scene.

Cannons

French and Brandenburg troops use field cannons of 18th to early 19th century patterns. These are definitely modern replicas.