Fanfan la Tulipe (1952)

Fanfan la Tulipe is a 1952 French comedy adventure film directed by Christian-Jaque. It has also been categorized under swashbuckler films. The film is set in France during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). As the film begins, Fanfan (Gérard Philipe) is a charming, attractive young man who is trying to escape a shotgun marriage. At this vulnerable point in his life, he is approached by the daughter of a recruiting officer, Adeline (Gina Lollobrigida), who tells him that if he joins the army, he will find fame, fortune, and will marry the king's daughter. Accordingly, he joins the army, only to discover that she made up the whole thing in order for her father to receive a recruiting bonus. As the film progresses, an attraction develops between Fanfan and Adeline, which however conflicts with his perceived "destiny" of marrying a king's daughter. Filled to the brim with dazzling stunts and randy innuendo, Fanfan la Tulipe, which won the best director prize at Cannes and was a smash hit upon its initial release, remains one of France’s all-time most beloved films. The film was remade in 2003.