King of Hearts 1966
"De Broca's Crowning Touch!"
Philippe de Broca's *King of Hearts (1966)* blends sharp wit with wartime absurdity as an ornithologist is mistaken for a bomb disposal expert and sent alone into a quaint French town on the brink of WWI.
Director: Philippe de Broca
Cast
Alan Bates
Charles Plumpick
Geneviève Bujold
Coquelicot
Pierre Brasseur
General Géranium
Michel Serrault
Monsieur Marcel
Jean-Claude Brialy
Duke of Clover
Adolfo Celi
Schottischer Colonel
Micheline Presle
Madame Eva aka Madame Eglantine
Philippe de Broca
Adolf Hitler
Françoise Christophe
Duchess
Julien Guiomar
Monseigneur Marguerite
Frequently Asked Questions
What is King of Hearts (1966) about?
The film follows an ornithologist mistaken for an explosives expert and sent into a small French town during WWI to defuse a bomb left behind by departing Germans. His mission takes a surreal turn when he discovers the town's only inhabitants are psychiatric patients, each navigating their own version of reality amid the looming disaster.
Who directed King of Hearts?
The film was directed by Philippe de Broca, known for his ability to blend comedy and drama with a keen eye for human eccentricity.
Who stars in King of Hearts?
The cast features Alan Bates in the lead role, alongside Geneviève Bujold, Pierre Brasseur, Michel Serrault, and Adolfo Celi, each bringing depth and charm to the ensemble.
Is King of Hearts (1966) worth watching?
This offbeat war comedy-drama offers a unique take on wartime chaos, blending humor with poignant themes of sanity and survival. While it may not appeal to fans of traditional action films, its satirical edge and strong performances make it a memorable watch for those seeking something different.
How long is King of Hearts?
The film runs for 102 minutes, packing its quirky narrative and rich atmosphere into just under two hours.
🎥 Trailer
About King of Hearts (1966) — A War Comedy of Madness and Misplaced Identities
Philippe de Broca's *King of Hearts (1966)* blends sharp wit with wartime absurdity as an ornithologist is mistaken for a bomb disposal expert and sent alone into a quaint French town on the brink of WWI. The film unfolds in a surreal landscape where the last remaining residents are inmates from a psychiatric asylum, their eccentricities clashing with the chaos of war.
With a tone that oscillates between dark comedy and poignant drama, the story explores themes of sanity, survival, and the fragility of human connection amid destruction. Alan Bates leads a stellar cast in this offbeat gem, delivering a performance that balances levity and depth as the outsider navigating a world turned upside down. The film's whimsical yet biting satire makes it a standout in the war-comedy genre, offering a fresh perspective on conflict through the lens of the unusual and the unexpected.
