Jacques Besnard

Jacques Besnard was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his contributions to French comedy cinema. He began his career in the mid-1950s, working as an assistant director under notable filmmakers such as Maurice Régamey, Yves Robert, and Alberto Lattuada. In 1962, Besnard became the first assistant director to André Hunebelle, collaborating on films like Les Mystères de Paris (1962) and the Fantômas series. He made his directorial debut with Le Grand Restaurant (1966), co-written with Louis de Funès, which became a significant box office success. Besnard continued to direct comedies throughout the 1970s, including Le Fou du labo 4 (1967) and La situation est grave... mais pas désespérée (1976). In the 1980s, he shifted his focus to television, directing various TV movies and series. Besnard's work is characterized by its humor and collaboration with prominent French actors.

Works

Rififi

Out of prison after a five-year stretch, jewel thief Tony turns down a quick job his friend Jo offers him, until he discovers that his old girlfriend Mado has become the lover of local gangster Pierre Grutter during Tony's absence. Expanding a minor smash-and-grab into a full-scale jewel heist, Tony and his crew appear to get away clean, but their actions after the job is completed threaten the lives of everyone involved.

Release Date1955-04-13

Charactersd Third Gambler (uncredited)

Vote Count611

Fantomas Unleashed

In the second episode of the trilogy Fantômas kidnaps distinguished scientist professor Marchand with the aim to develop a super weapon that will enable him to menace the world. Fantômas is also planning to abduct a second scientist, professor Lefebvre.

Release Date1965-12-08

DepartmentDirecting

JobSecond Unit Director

Vote Count556

Signed, Arsène Lupin

At the end of the Great War, Arsène Lupin resumed his adventurous life. Theft of three paintings committed by an adversary leads him to the treasure of the Golden Fleece.

Release Date1959-11-11

DepartmentDirecting

JobSecond Assistant Director

Vote Count12

Fantomas

Fantômas is a man of many disguises. He uses maquillage as a weapon. He can impersonate anyone using an array of masks and can create endless confusion by constantly changing his appearance.

Release Date1964-11-04

DepartmentDirecting

JobSecond Unit Director

Vote Count787

First Taste of Love

Lucien, a modest engineering student, discovers that his steady girl friend Mireille is using him to cover up her dates with Mario, an older man. Lucien wanders about the streets of Paris and meets Joëlle, a sophisticated teenager who supports herself with a job in a sleazy nightclub. It is late when they meet, and Joëlle invites Lucien into the club and demonstrates her stripping act to her one-man audience. A feeling of rapport develops as they go from place to place seeking entertainment; in the morning the two discover they have fallen in love. Mireille learns of the romance and, on a bet, plots with Philippe and other friends to break up the affair. Neither Lucien nor Joëlle, however, succumbs to the propositions of Mireille and Philippe. Later at a nightclub, Mario gives the appearance of seducing Joëlle. Enraged, Lucien rushes at him and they fight. Lucien is reunited with Joëlle--he has learned of the complexities of love, and she has acquired from him a sense of stability.

Release Date1961-01-27

DepartmentCrew

JobTechnical Advisor

The Antidote

JAM (Christian Clavier), a French "master of the universe" is on the brink of a major takeover when he starts suffering from anxiety attacks. His doctor (Lhermite) thinks it is to do with childhood experiences and suggests he searches back in his mind to something that could be the trigger and will prove to be the antidote.

Release Date2005-03-30

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Vote Count117

The Looters

Morgan, a lapsed burglar, is drugged and shanghaied on board a yacht by beautiful Colleen. When he comes to, the athletic young man learns that Colleen and her friends want him to break open the vaults of a Carribean island where a ruthless dictator has deposited a treasure stolen from his people. Despite the way he has been treated, Morgan accepts the mission. The group, supported by local resistant fighters, storm the fortress, but Colleen's father gets killed during the attack. The treasure is finally retrieved and is returned to the people. Morgan and Colleen will say yes to each other for better or for worse.

Release Date1967-08-08

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count2

Big Deal

Paul and Thérèse have sold their café on the outskirts of an airport to buy one in Marseille. The business is going well until they discover that their bistro is being used as a hub for drug trafficking. To stop the traffic, they reignite a gang war.

Release Date1973-03-29

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count3

The Mysteries of Paris

The Marquis Rodolphe de Sombrueil accidentally runs over a working man with his carriage and helps his widow -- unjustly accused of robbery -- to find her missing daughter.

Release Date1962-10-04

DepartmentDirecting

JobFirst Assistant Director

Vote Count24

Release Date1988-10-07

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Episode Count4

Le Jour de gloire

In 1944, a retired German detachment found itself stranded in a French town. The inhabitants try to live in good harmony with the occupants. But one day kids, playing with a grenade, accidentally cause the death of an SS lieutenant.

Release Date1976-12-08

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count32

Release Date1997-03-14

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Série noire

Léo Fardier is a police inspector who goes to prison undercover as a convict. He shares a cell with Mariani, a Corsican mafioso, whose trust he earns. The day Léo leaves prison, the criminal entrusts him with a letter to deliver to his estranged wife. He finds her, and she falls under his spell. The problem is that he, too, has fallen in love with her.

Release Date1955-03-04

Vote Count2