Louis-Dominique Cartouche (1693-1721) was one of the two famous brigands in France of the XVIII th century the other being Mandrin the smuggler.Cartouche's "career" took place during the Regence (interregnum Louis the XIV th /louis the XV th) whereas his colleague appeared later under Louis the XV th 's reign.He was another Robin Hood ,stealing from the rich and giving to the poor (not only legend).He was a gallant man,seducing many women , collecting the lovers .In the movie ,"Venus" (Cardinale)might represent some of them.His relationship with an aristocratic woman (Odile Versois in the movie) is plausible for he had friends in the nobility .Once he had dinner with one of these high born ladies and he thought her champagne was undrinkable:the day after ,he sent a case of bottles to her.The tragic death of Cartouche is not shown in the movie:like Mandrin ,and like other brigands ,he perished on the wheel ,a terrifying torture .
Belmondo who was also De Broca's "L'Homme De Rio" is a dashing handsome chivalrous Cartouche .He gets good support from a stellar cast .The last scene,often praised ,is ,with the "burying at sea" scene of Enrico's "Les Aventuriers" ,one of the most beautiful scenes of the French cinema of the sixties!And,no,they were not Nouvelle Vague ,either De Broca or Enrico !
Belmondo who was also De Broca's "L'Homme De Rio" is a dashing handsome chivalrous Cartouche .He gets good support from a stellar cast .The last scene,often praised ,is ,with the "burying at sea" scene of Enrico's "Les Aventuriers" ,one of the most beautiful scenes of the French cinema of the sixties!And,no,they were not Nouvelle Vague ,either De Broca or Enrico !