Jean Marais, an actor++
The artistic career of Jean Marais is so immense that it is difficult to choose this or that film. This actor, handsome as God, started very young in small extra roles before being spotted by Jean Cocteau (sorry for you ladies). Despite everything, he played with very beautiful actresses (Josiane Day, Viviane Romance, Danièle Darrieux, Michèle Morgan, Madeleine Robinson, Marina Vlady, Mylène Demongeot among others…). After a few films like ‘The Eternal Return or Les Parents Terribles’, his first major role was in ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
A bright and charming smile, a voice recognizable among thousands, an actor full of talents, often in costumed period roles and let’s not forget, that long before our national Bébel, he performed all his stunts. Let’s also keep the image of Jean Marais during the Gala of the Union of Artists, perched at the top of the mast smoking a cigarette, this sequence had a great impact on me even though I was a child.
A selection of some films for everyone’s pleasure, to see and rewatch…
TOP 1. Beauty and the Beast
Jean Cocteau signed this film in 1946. A film which revealed an actor transformed after several hours of makeup a day for an impressive result.
Despite this atmosphere (which is also in black and white) this film is a tale that can remind us of ‘Cinderella’.
In Belle’s (Josiane Day) family there are two very naughty sisters, a father who works in business and who, during a trip, gets lost and ends up in a castle where the Beast lives. Forced to choose one of her three daughters for this half-man, half-animal creature, Belle decides to sacrifice herself… and the story begins. The very particular voice of Jean Marais gives his character additional gravity to his physique.
To watch in a restored version… in groups so as not to be frightened… but nothing to fear, the Beast is really cute.
TOP 2. The hunchback
Another character in disguise and makeup, and yet another performance for our Jean Marais.
We cannot forget these phrases “My Lord, caress my bump, it will bring you good luck”, and “If you do not come to Lagardère, Lagardère will come to you”. In order to help the Duke of Nevers (hence the name of the boot), Henri de Lagardère enters a fight where once again Jean Marais shows us his skills as a fencer.
Before the Duke’s eyes close forever, Lagardère promises to avenge him and take care of his daughter Aurore, whom he will entrust to his valet Passepoil (played by Bourvil with great talent as usual). Having left to live in Spain to hide and raise Aurore, their return will be motivated by the revenge of the Duke of Nevers. Beautiful scenes and a beautiful finale for everyone to enjoy.
TOP 3. The Capitan
André Hunebelle (historical film specialist) has once again created a great swashbuckling adventure film.
On the death of Henry IV, Marie de Medici ruled the country finding that King Louis XIII was too young. She entrusts the powers to Concini who dreams of conquering the Throne. Trying by all means to eliminate the King (the opportunity to find the actor Piéral in the role of the poisoning dwarf). The arrival of François de Capestang will change Concini’s plans.
The ascent of the tower by Jean MARAIS remains a strong point of this adventure among all the other waterfalls. Bourvil in the role of Cogolin, his friend, brings a very humorous note and some memorable sequences.
TOP 4. The mysteries of Paris
In the role of the Marquis de Sombreuil, Jean Marais once again shows us his talents as an actor and stuntman, both in the fight scenes and in the sewers of Paris (a very striking passage in this film). At his side, the pleasure of finding great actors such as Pierre Mondy, Noël Roquevert, Raymond Pellegrin, François Chaumette and Henri Lambert, among others and the very pretty Dany Robin.
From High Society to the Parisian underworld of the time to save Fleur de Marie, André Hunebelle offers us a great film that will please everyone. Personally I love this film and the settings of old Paris. A must see…
TOP 5. Fantômas (the trilogy)
Funny character, this man with the disturbing mask who must have frightened the youngest, somewhat ridiculous in relation today to all these computerized monsters projected on our cinema screens. Let’s also talk about this voice that comes from nowhere and which brings the desired cynicism to this character. A series of three films in which Louis de Funès (always very excited) takes the lead from Jean Marais (who plays Fantômas and the very classy journalist who will try by all means to catch Fantômas).
Always very comfortable in transformation, Jean Marais offers us several characters, stunts, fights. The opportunity to see a simulated hunt, the takeoff of a rocket and a DS Citroën taking off, taking our Fantômas with it. Certainly… they will never have it and above all we must not count on the Juve commissioner… When will the continuation of these adventures? You never know and it would be a pleasure.
You enjoyed these first 5 films, a step back to find this great actor, so we can continue.
TOP 6. The iron mask
But who is this iron mask? An enigma in French history.
In 1656, Mazarin, still in good shape, decided, in order to replace the ailing King Louis XIV, to bring back his twin brother locked in a castle. In order to carry out this mission, the Cardinal calls on the handsome knight d’Artagnan. Unfortunately the man in the iron mask has escaped and from conspiracy to conspiracy this adventure is masterfully led by a very smiling Jean Marais and always so comfortable in his roles as a Knight. A nice little film to watch.
TOP 7. The Count of Monte Cristo
Based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas, many films have been made (of very good quality). Jean Marais (always very good in his two-faceted character) plays Edmond Dantès, a young sailor returning to Marseille to find his future fiancée named Mercédès, is taken prisoner at the Château d’If after a conspiracy. In a cell with an old man, Father Faria, who will inform him of the presence of a treasure on the island of Monte Cristo, Edmond Dantès will become a rich man, which will allow him to help some relatives (very rare) and above all to take revenge. A great story and a very good film that everyone will enjoy.
TOP 8. The outcast
In his entire filmography, perhaps one of Jean Marais’s least known films, and yet a good film and a great performance on his part.
Manu (Jean Marais) becomes a gangster after the death of his wife and daughter. Following a diamond theft, he takes refuge with a peasant woman who lives with her son. Love is always the strongest, they will fall in love and thus form a new family. But this cache will not be enough and Manu will be hunted down until… AH! AH!…well to know the ending you absolutely have to watch this good film.
TOP 9. The gentleman from Cocody
Dressed all in white, Jean Marais takes us on an adventure under the Ivory Coast sun. The story of a diplomat who accompanies a beautiful young woman who is hunting a rare butterfly to hide his true identity as a gang leader in search of a plane wreck that contains a huge shipment of diamonds. A hellish chase will animate this adventure film. Jean Marais always smiling and the opportunity to meet the great Philippe Clay and Robert Dalban.
1960s atmosphere, a very pleasant film presented by a beautiful cinema poster.
TOP 10. Terrible parents
In this series of films by Jean Marais and in homage to Jean Cocteau (indissociable) who introduced us to this wonderful actor, a film released in 1948 whose dialogues are succulent. ‘Black and white’ images and the very precise voice of Jean Cocteau as narrator. A return (and not the eternal return) to the sources for this beautiful family story.
Michel, raised in a slightly disordered family between his parents (old couple) and his aunt, is like a God in the middle of all this little world, and the mother sees nothing other than him, only him, until day when he meets a beautiful young woman (played by Josette Day), and he decides to introduce her to his mother. But the story doesn’t end there, because his mother (Madeleine) has a long-term lover who is none other than… Michel’s biological father.
An old film, with images whose quality we don’t want, a sound which is a little dated, but it doesn’t matter if you have always liked Jean Marais, you will watch this film with great pleasure.
You like the movies? Discover the top 10 best series, specially concocted by our team 🙂
