Charlot47 Enjoyable adventure full of fights, chases, lots of laughs and good clean fun with a resourceful hero (Jean-Paul Belmondo), trainer of the French boxing team, a beautiful journalist he fancies (Marie-France Pisier), a brave little German boy he takes a liking to (Rachid Ferrache) and a bear cub named Beethoven who just tags along. Starting in the air over the Western Front during 1916, the film moves from Paris to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin to Berchtesgaden. There the boy's Jewish family, trying to escape to Austria, end up by mistake in the Berghof and are welcomed, if that is the word, by Hitler's grim sister (Günter Meisner in drag). Given instruments and ordered to play music for the company, they alternate with a Bavarian oompah band on the terrace. In a surreal sequence, the dancers in Alpine costume switch between the local Schuhplattler and a swooping Jewish dance. To get the family over the frontier to safety, Belmondo dresses as an SS officer and steals the Führer's car. A light-hearted romp that does not conceal the darkness of the time when it is set or the worse that was to follow.

FilmCriticLalitRao World War I and II have always been a good setting for European cinema as different films have been made by France, Germany and Italy which speak about two major conflicts which have brought mankind close to the brink of disaster. As we discuss the portrayal of wars in cinema, we need to mention that it is the French directors who have portrayed world wars in a comic fashion as opposed to the seriousness which a war film demands. Hence, it is with immense pride can one state that a long time before Italian comedy actor/director Roberto Benigni (Life is beautiful), French cinema was the first national cinema to give comic touches to wars especially in their humorous portrayal of Nazism. For example : PAPY FAIT DE LA RESISTANCE directed by Jean-Marie Poiré. Ace of aces is one such film which recreates the magic of comedy during a war by lampooning Nazi soldiers and their leader Adolf Hitler who were in power in Germany during 11th Summer Olympic Games which were held in 1936 in Berlin. For this film, French superstar Jean-Paul Belmondo is paired with Marie-France Pisier who get rid of their differences in order to help a Jewish family. It is not only the star cast which has worked wonders for this film as Gérard Oury has added too many popular cinema elements to make his film a nice viewing experience for all types of viewers regardless of their age or taste. One gets to see an incredible chase of airplanes in the skies, a French boxing team, a bear in a car chased by Nazi soldiers, Der Fuehrer 'Adolf Hitler' and his sister and even a short documentary footage of American sprinter Jesse Owens. You would not hesitate in watching this film as it represents a true example of light comedy in cinema if you have already enjoyed and seen 'La Grande Vadrouille'.

lalouxfrancois I don't know why but i just keep watching this movie with pleasure. Not a absolute classic, but that movie has a special "taste" that makes it so special in my eyes, and warms me in a strange way.Not the best work of Gerard Oury, but certainly his last very good one.Belmondo is perfect, as most other actors are.The story is absolutely not serious, but takes place during very dark times for Europe, giving a nice message behind the good laughs that you have.Give it a try, don't take it seriously and, if like me you are fond of Belmondo, you will certainly have a good time watching this film.Cheers

GMTMaster This movie is a fine example of fun adventure, set in hard times. Belmondo plays french boxing coach, who travels to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Naturally he gets in all kind of trouble and saves a jewish family from deporation. Sound no fun? Well it is, the whole theme is played very light hearted and real fun to watch.