Astérix et Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre

Original title: Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre
Scénario : Alain Chabat, based on the comic strips by René Goscinny et Albert Uderzo
Produced by: KATHARINA RENN PRODUCTIONS, TF1 FILMS PRODUCTIONS, CHEZ WAM
Directed by: Alain Chabat
Running time: 104min
Video distribution: PATHE

The success of the second live-action Asterix film was greater than the first in France, but a lot less so abroad. Was it a question of the Canal Plus (French TV channel) humour, or Chabat’s humour? Be that as it may, this new style of film seems to augur well for an Asterix career worthy of a James Bond!

What the druids have to say about the film

Remaining very faithful to the comic strip, the film was directed by Alain Chabat, who loves the Asterix universe and has always said that he was a great Goscinny fan. During the film, and helped along by a touch of the imperial syndrome (he plays Caesar), he believed he was becoming somewhat “caliph instead of the caliph” (stock phrase of Iznogoud the Infamous, a Goscinny comic strip character)! However, this pathology, according to the late René, is always provisional, as Iznogoud has never actually conquered … Veni, vidi, but vici, really, Caesar?

The DVD has a long, hugely enjoyable making-of section and all kinds of extras. A fine French production!