The Brain 1969
"The Brain has rocked the world with laughter!"
Gérard Oury's electrifying 1969 crime-comedy masterpiece, *The Brain*, pits two bumbling yet charming thieves, Arthur and Anatole, against a high-stakes heist where nothing goes according to plan.
Director: Gérard Oury
Cast
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Arthur Lespinasse
Bourvil
Anatole
David Niven
Colonnel Carol Matthews, aka 'Le Cerveau'
Eli Wallach
Frankie Scannapieco, godfather of the Italian mafia
Silvia Monti
Sofia Scannapieco, Frankie's sister
Raymond Gérôme
Commissioner
Fernand Guiot
Inspector Mazurel, assistant to the commissioner
Jacques Balutin
Inspector Pochet
Jacques Ciron
Inspector Dubœuf
Patrick Préjean
Belgian Sergeant of the armoured car
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Brain (1969) about?
Two small-time crooks, Arthur and Anatole, set their sights on a high-profile train heist carrying money from Paris to Brussels. What they don't expect is to be up against a gang of professional thieves all racing for the same prize. What follows is a spirited battle of wits, mistakes, and pure luck.
Who directed The Brain?
The Brain was directed by Gérard Oury, a French filmmaker celebrated for his blend of humor and action in crime comedies.
Who stars in The Brain?
The film features French icon Jean-Paul Belmondo as Arthur, Bourvil as Anatole, with David Niven, Eli Wallach, Silvia Monti, and Raymond Gérôme rounding out the cast.
Is The Brain (1969) worth watching?
With its razor-sharp comic timing and breezy runtime, *The Brain* (1969) is a delightful romp for fans of classic heist comedies. Its mix of slapstick, clever dialogue, and stellar performances makes it a standout from the era—perfect if you love mischievous capers with European flair.
How long is The Brain?
The Brain runs for 115 minutes, offering a tight, punchy ride from start to finish.
🎥 Trailer
The Brain (1969): A Wild Heist Comedy with Belmondo and Bourvil — Full Movie Info
Gérard Oury's electrifying 1969 crime-comedy masterpiece, *The Brain*, pits two bumbling yet charming thieves, Arthur and Anatole, against a high-stakes heist where nothing goes according to plan. When a priceless money shipment hurtles through Europe aboard a special train from Paris to Brussels, the duo finds themselves tangled in a web of competing criminals, each more cunning than the last. With laughter and suspense in equal measure, Oury crafts a madcap adventure that blends razor-sharp wit with chaotic energy, all underpinned by the iconic performances of Jean-Paul Belmondo and Bourvil. The film's vivacious atmosphere and clever twists make it a timeless celebration of mischief and ingenuity.
Starring the legendary Jean-Paul Belmondo as the quick-witted Arthur and the incomparable Bourvil as his hapless but endearing partner Anatole, *The Brain* (1969) delivers a comic tour de force. David Niven and Eli Wallach add global flair as rival masterminds, while Silvia Monti and Raymond Gérôme round out the cast in this French-Italian co-production. Whether you're drawn to its sparkling dialogue, its playful sabotage of heist tropes, or simply the joy of watching two rogues outsmart the world, this film remains a jewel of 1960s European cinema.
