Clochemerle (1972) User Reviews

Brilliantly wry observation of sexual mores,politics and religion

[a-lund · 8/10 · 10 October 2006]

As an adolescent watching this TV series in the 1970's, the appeal of the bevy of nubile young actresses in this series was obvious. On closer inspection however,the clever witty social commentary of the author, Gabriel Chevalier, on rural French civil and religious contradictions and conflict, engages the viewer and leaves a lasting impression.

The quality of the cast - Roy Dotrice,Kenneth Griffith, Cyril Cusack etc; the bravado and joie de vivre of the marvellous adaptation by Galton and Simpson and the vocal skills of the wry narration by the exemplary Peter Ustinov all combine to make this one of the best BBC co-productions ever undertaken.

Visually stunning, it is a major crime that this ever-relevant, de-bagging of pomposity and prudishness has all but disappeared. Why it has never been released on VHS / DVD needs explanation by the BBC hierarchy at the earliest opportunity! Are you reading this BBC? If there is a legal wrangle somewhere that needs sorting out, please do so immediately.TV series this good will not be made today - so please let us cherish the work of the past masters.

suggestions

[marktayloruk · 9/10 · 18 August 2018]

One -it's now on DVD. Repeat it on TV. Two-film Chevallier's sequels Three -turn it into a musical

One of the great comedies!

An excellent, but forgotten, comedy classic

[The_Commodore · 28 February 2005]

Clochemerle, a poor sleepy French village in the Beaujolais, gets involved in the midst of controversy, scandal and political intrigue for the rather unlikely reason of the erection of a public urinal in the town square, to the delight of the the men in the town, but the bane of one elderly religious residents existence. When a Child of Mary becomes pregnant, the urinal and the 'loose moral values' that it apparently brings to the town are blames, which in turn leads to the destruction of a statue in the church, leading to a war between the secularist Republicans, the Church, the aristocracy, the French Government and the Army.

One of the funniest comedies ever, with the best 'corridors of power' scene in the history of television ('We can't ignore it, the insurance man gave it too us'). I remember that it was so risqué in 1972 it had to be shewn at 11 o'clock at night. It is, therefore, unfortunate that this shew is no longer remembered, and has not been released on either VHS or DVD to the best of my knowledge, and has only been repeated on television once.

DVD available - at least in UK

[railwayphilap · 10/10 · 9 December 2016]

As funny as any TV. Do watch it. Ustinov's narration is wonderful and the rest of the cast is just as good. Joyously the cast do not attempt an "Allo, Allo" type accent but speak naturally which only adds to the charm of the piece. The village it was filmed in it was not, apparently, the village Chevallier based the story in but those who know think that it's much prettier. One thing that stands out in this, and most other quality entertainment, is the sheer joy apparent in every frame - the cast and crew obviously had a whale of a time! Galton and Simpson, the writers, were inspired by the French film and wrote the only screenplay that was not adapted from their own work or original to them. This is what TV is all about, films cannot have the intimacy shown here.

Clochemerle - shame it is not on DVD

[bill-mellor · 15 January 2010]

I saw both the original in the 1970s, and also the repeats in the mid-1990s, some of which I recorded on VHS. Excellent, witty, intelligent adaptation of the book by two top-rate comedy scriptwriters of the period and a well chosen cast. Well directed integration of French mannerisms and speech nuances with the English language, not in the hyperbole style of 'Allo 'Allo at all.

The whole series appears to have been shot on location in Colombier-le-Vieux, department Ardeche, south of Lyon. The steam railway there, which appears in the programme, had been restored by enthusiasts the year before shooting. It can still be ridden by tourists in summertime today.

A Scandal in Clochemerle

[georgerosenthal · 13 December 2005]

I saw a film which fairly closely follows the reviewer's story of the 1972 film. The one I saw was a French Language film, I saw it in an art theater in St. Louis, Missouri in 1950 or 1951. B & W. After a grave discussion of what would be fitting, a public men's urinal was decided upon to be a memorial to the French in WW 1. The public officials dedicated it, you can guess how. There was some sort of disorder between the establishment, the priest, and the communists. The French National Guard was sent in to restore order. The scene dissolves into one of almost orgy and drunken. I forget how it ends, but it is very funny and I do wish I could see it again. Likely to have been made after 1930 and before 1939.--GR