Film directed by Guillaume Canet (“Don’t Tell Anyone”, “A Better Life”, “Trading Guy”) became a big hit in France already at the moment of its cinema premiere. Viewers flocked to cinemas to see a new version of the adventures of beloved heroes. This large-scale costume production is great entertainment for children and parents. The fantastic scenography, great battles and special effects are stunning. The film’s splendor was enhanced by great stars who even appear in cameos.
“It is the year 50 before the birth of Christ. All of Gaul is conquered by the Romans… All of it? No! One single settlement, inhabited by the relentless Gauls, is still resisting the invaders and making life miserable for the Roman legions stationed in the camps of Rhubarbum, Aquarium, Relanium and Delirium…” – this is how every story about the adventures of Asterix and Obelix begins.
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And now we have 50 BC. There is a coup in China. Fu Yi (Julie Chen), the daughter of the deposed empress, goes to Gaul to ask for help. The fame of the inhabitants of a tiny village that resisted the Roman Empire has already reached Asia. Fu Yi is convinced that only brave Gallic warriors Asterix (Guillaume Canet) and Obelix (Gilles Lellouche – “Innocent Lies”, “The Dream”, “Our Best Wedding”) can perform a miracle and defeat the empress’s enemies. The Gauls are convinced. By a strange coincidence, Julius Caesar (Vincent Cassel – “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan”, “The Lord of Paris”, “The Black Swan”, “The Apartment”) also wants to conquer China. Middle Kingdom and thus impress his beloved Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt (Marion Cotillard – Oscar winner for “I Regret Nothing – Edith Piaf”). His secret weapon during the expedition is an undefeated warrior, centurion Antivirus (Zlatan Ibrahimoviæ). As Canet says in interviews, all the actors accepted their roles in the film with enthusiasm. He also managed to convince Milan’s striker, Ibrahimovic, to take up the acting challenge without any problems. In the Polish language version, the characters were voiced by, among others: Wiktor Zborowski and Waldemar Barwiñski, and the narrator is Robert Makłowicz.
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How did it start?
Small in stature but great in spirit, the clever Asterix and his mighty friend Obelix first appeared in a small comic book published on October 29, 1959 in the French magazine “Pilote”. At that time, screenwriter René Goscinny and artist Albert Terazdo could not even have dreamed what a great career their heroes would have. And the Gauls won the hearts of the French. In the 1960s, book versions of their adventures were already published and sold in huge numbers. Their fame soon exceeded the borders of the state on the Seine. So far, the comics about Asterix and Obelix have been translated into over 100 languages, including: into Latin.
Asterix, Obelix and their friends became heroes of the mass imagination and symbols of French culture. The idea of Goscinny and Łączo was brilliant. The warlike Gauls from a small village bravely faced the aggressive Romans, who wanted to defeat them at all costs. At the same time, they underestimated their opponent, his cunning, strength, courage and the magical elixir thanks to which they managed to do extraordinary things. The authors of the comic drew heavily from history, philosophy and various mythologies. At the same time, they referred to the present day in a perverse way and surprised us with their imagination and sense of humor. After Myślo and Goscinny, the baton was taken over by other authors who still maintain a high level.
Apart from Asterix in a winged helmet and Obelix dressed in striped, blue and white trousers, comics also feature: the druid Panoramiks, who prepares a magical elixir that gives superhuman strength, the elder of the village of Długowieczniks, who is prone to fights, Dobromina – the wife of the leader Asparanoix, the bard Kakofoniks and many others. It is worth paying attention to the names of the characters, they are very significant.
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Star performances
The cinema quickly took notice of Asterix and Obelix. They first appeared in animated films. So far, 10 of them have been created. The first of them, “Asterix the Gal”, was created in 1967. In 1976, the cult cartoon film “The 12 Labors of Asterix” was shot, the first one that was not an adaptation of any of the comics, but told a separate story. ± the story of the adventures of the brave Gauls.
1999 brought the first acting picture. The great French director Claude Zidi made a film entitled “Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar”. The role of Asterix was played by Christian Clavier (“Guests, Guests”, “For What Sins, Good God?”), and Obelix by Gérard Depardieu (“Danton”, “Green Card”, “Vatel”, “Les Misérables”. “). Depardieu and Clavier also played brave Gauls in the next three films. “Asterix and Obelix: Empire of the Dragon” is the first in which the main actors were changed.
The 2002 film turned out to be a big hit. “Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra”, directed by Alain Chabat. Apart from Depardieu and Clavier, they performed, among others: Monica Bellucci (“Malena”, “The Matrix Revolutions”) as Queen Cleopatra, the master of comedy Alain Chabat (“Tastes and Guts”, “Santa Claus” as Julius Caesar and Jamel Debbouze (“Amelia”) as the architect Numernabis, friend Panoramiks, which is to build a palace for the Queen of Egypt at a rapid pace. A brilliant Polish version was created for this film, prepared by Bartosz Wierzbiêta (“Shrek”, “Madagascar”, “Zootopia”). Many dialogues from “Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra” ” has entered everyday language, e.g. “If you are so tough, tell me straight in my profile.”
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The year 2008 is “Asterix at the Olympics”, a story about how brave Gauls prepare for sports competition at the Olympics and help their friend, Romantix, win the heart of the beautiful Irina. The eternal enemy of the Gauls, Julius Caesar, was played here by the great French actor Alain Delon (“Cats”, “Circle of Evil”, “Samurai”, “Mr. Klein”, “Eclipse”). The film “Asterix at the Olympics” also featured outstanding athletes, including: Michael Schumacher, Zinedine Zidane, Tony Parker and Amelie Mauresmo.
Four years later, another film was made, “Asterix and Obelix: In Her Majesty’s Service”. Here, the British Queen sends her people to the undefeated Gallic village to bring help, because Julius Caesar decided to conquer Britain. Cordelia, Queen of the Britons, was played by Catherine Deneuve, an icon of French cinema (“Repulsion”, “Beauties of the Day”, “Indochina”, “8 Women”).
Brave Gauls and family cinema
On the platform you can watch not only the latest hit about the adventures of Asterix and Obelix, i.e. “Asterix and Obelix: In Her Majesty’s Service” and “Asterix at the Olympics”. A marathon with impressive films about brave Gauls is a treat for the whole family. Adults will appreciate the game of stars and will be entertained by excellent dialogues, and children will enjoy fabulous adventures.
has prepared an extremely attractive offer of film hits for both young and old. This is, for example, a dazzling animation titled “Maurice the Amazing Cat”, the script of which was based on the books by Terry Pratchett. In turn, “Mr. Toy” is a hit French production in which the main role was played by Jamel Debbouze, i.e. Numernabis from the films about Asterix and Obelix. Debouze played the role of a night watchman from a toy store, who is to become a living mascot of the son of the richest man in France (Daniel Auteuil).
The adventure film titled: “The Great Escape”, the script of which was based on the novel by Edith Nesbit. This is an exciting story taking place in Great Britain during World War II. Three siblings, whose parents sent them from bombed London to a safe countryside, meet a young soldier. The boy claims that he has a secret mission to perform. This is how a great adventure begins.
We invite you to watch!
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
