In the 18th century, Louis de Bourguignon is working with the Malichot's gang, but their ways are too 'unethical' for him. He creates his own band, acting under the name of Cartouche, making audacious robberies of the rich people, and even distributing the takings with the poor. Thus, cartouche attracts the people's sympathies, Venus's love, and hate from the Police and Malichot... Cartouche can escape all the traps they set at him - except the entrapments of love. Eventually, he will be saved by a woman, at her own cost.
Acting
Belmondo's athletic charm at absolute peak
Stunts
Pre-CGI acrobatics that'll make you gasp
Cinematography
Sun-drenched 18th century fantasy France
Director
Philippe de Broca
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Louis-Dominique Bourguignon alias Cartouche
Claudia Cardinale
Vénus
Jess Hahn
La Douceur
Marcel Dalio
Malichot
Jean Rochefort
La Taupe
Philippe Lemaire
Gaston de Ferrussac
Noël Roquevert
Le sergent recruteur
Odile Versois
Isabelle de Ferrussac
Jacques Charon
Le colonel
Lucien Raimbourg
Le maréchal
Jacques Balutin
Le moine Capucine
Pierre Repp
Le marquis de Griffe
Jacques Hilling
L'aubergiste
Paul Préboist
Un gendarme
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Belmondo performed nearly all his own stunts, including dangerous horse falls and rooftop chases, cementing his reputation as France's most reckless leading man.
De Broca made this as a deliberate counterpoint to the heavy French New Wave—pure entertainment was political too in 1962.
