paid in full Note: this movie was viewed in its original version, french language.This movie was awsome. The story never has a dull moment. The villains are great and the good guys play their roles well. It is different from american movies in a good way. It has romance, vengeance and loyalty as themes...and also a lot of action. You will be pleased.

MARIO GAUCI De Broca, who had made the marvelous swashbuckler CARTOUCHE (1962), returns to the genre after 35 years with this unexpectedly old-fashioned and highly entertaining romp.Daniel Auteil is the unlikely hero, who is also called on to show his versatility as an actor by dressing up as the titular character. He's supported by a good cast: Vincent Perez as a womanizing aristocrat, Fabrice Luchini as a somewhat reticent villain and Philippe Noiret as a Regent; lovely Marie Gillain is Auteil's improbable love interest (she was raised by him after being saved from death's clutches).The film's theatrical milieu brings forth obvious comparisons with SCARAMOUCHE (1952) but the sumptuous décor, Philippe Sarde's rousing score and a plot-packed narrative keep one watching. In fact, it was so well-received at the time of its release as to be nominated for several international film awards! De Broca is a distinguished French film-maker but, unfortunately, very little of his early work is available for reassessment; I've only watched 5 myself (including this one) and all proved to be well worth watching.

rbf55 WARNING, THERE IS A MAJOR SPOILER IN THIS REVIEW: Yes, it was a beautiful film, and yes the acting was superb, as was the photography, costumes, sword fights, etc. But one thing disturbed the hell out of me: Here was the main character, who raises this girl from infancy, and he ends up with her? Excuse me, but that is just a bit too incestuous for me. For 16 years he is this girls father (as far as she knows), and she has the hots for him and wants to bear him three sons? No, I just don't buy it, and it's a more than a little bit unbelievable that she would be in love with him that way, even before she knows that she is royalty, rather than just this guy's daughter. Romantic? I think NOT. Woof.

George Parker "On Guard", a subtitled French film, is all about Auteuil as an 18th century swordsman, mercenary, and bon vivant who finds himself the victim of treachery and the lone custodian of an infant who is the sole heir to a noble rank and great fortune. His task is to honor an oath and restore his charge to her rightful place in the face of countless bad guys with blades and his adopted daughter's growing ardor as she comes of age. Packed with evil men and beautiful women and wonderful locations and lots of swishing and clinking steel, "On Guard" should be a fun watch for anyone into swashbuckling adventure flicks who can contend with 2+ hours of subtitles. (B)