Fanfan la Tulipe

French screen legend Gérard Philipe is the seductive scoundrel in the age of Louis XV (when "women were easy and men engaged in their favorite pastime: war") in Christian-Jaque's deft 1952 swashbuckler. Philipe's dashing rogue is also a headstrong hero with a chivalrous streak and a sassy confidence. He beams as he engages in swordplay and acts of derring-do (like sneaking into the king's chateau). Italian beauty Gina Lollobrigida is dubbed in French, but her sex appeal and bountiful décolletage is well showcased in this sprightly comedy with a sardonic edge. The Criterion disc looks gorgeous and includes an original 27-minute documentary on Philipe, produced exclusively for this DVD, and a five-minute clip from the colorized version of the film.