My Uncle Benjamin (French: Mon oncle Benjamin) is a 1969 French-Italian historical comedy film directed by Édouard Molinaro and starring Jacques Brel, Claude Jade and Bernard Alane. It was shot at the Billancourt Studios in Paris and on location around Yonne. The film's sets were designed by the art director François de Lamothe. The film is based on a once-popular French comic novel My Uncle Benjamin by Claude Tillier (1843). The 1969 film Don't Grieve, directed by the Georgian Georgi Daneliya, is also based on Tillier's novel as was Francis Bousquet's 1942 comic opera Mon oncle Benjamin. The film was released on 28 November 1969.
Contents
Plot
The story is set in 1750 during the time of Louis XV. Benjamin (Jacques Brel) is a country doctor in love with the beautiful innkeeper's daughter, Manette (Claude Jade), but she refuses his advances until he produces a marriage contract. After suffering a humiliating practical joke and condemned to prison, Benjamin escapes with Manette, who realizes she prefers happiness to a marriage contract after all.
Cast
Jacques Brel as Benjamin Rathery
Claude Jade as Manette
Bernard Alane as Pont-Cassé
Robert Dalban as Innkeeper
Bernard Blier as Marquis
Rosy Varte as Bettine
Paul Frankeur as Minxit
Lyne Chardonnet as Arabelle
Armand Mestral as Machecourt
Paul Préboist as Parlenta
Daniela Surina as Marquise of Cambyse
Christine Aurel as Madame Chapelle
Gérard Boucaron as Le docteur Fata