Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century (1960)

Plot Summary

Charming and innocent, Candide is vigorously chased away by the Baron, for his close encounters with the pretty Cunégonde. World War II breaks out, and when he is drafted and taken prisoner, he is forced to take German nationality and ends up guarding the camp where he was imprisoned. He crossed into Switzerland, but as he had no bank account, he was incarcerated for eight days for trespassing. Hunted by the Gestapo, he kills two men to free Cunégonde, who has finally been found. They both flee to Argentina, and their world tour begins. In Paris, Moscow, New York, Borneo and Alexandria. They try to follow Dr. Pangloss' optimistic rule of life. Tossed about, separated, they find themselves grown old and wiser, thinking only of cultivating their garden on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Full Cast & Characters

Jean-Pierre Cassel

Candide

Daliah Lavi

Cunégonde

Pierre Brasseur

Pangloss

Louis de Funès

Officier de la Gestapo

Michel Simon

Colonel Nanar, du cadre de réserve

Jean Poiret

Le premier policier / Policeman

Michel Serrault

Le second policier / Policeman

Jean Tissier

Le docteur Jacques

Luis Mariano

Un dictateur sud américain / South American Dictator

Nadia Gray

La dame de compagnie / Dame

Mathilde Casadesus

La baronne de Thunder-Ten-Tronck

Darío Moreno

Un dictateur sud américain / South American Dictator

Director & Crew

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