Out of It (1978)
A condemned criminal drags his terrified lawyer into a wild escape in this classic French comedy from director Gérard Oury.
Out of It - Movie Information
- Original Title: La Carapate
- Release Year: 1978
- Directed by: Gérard Oury
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 10, 1978 (France), November 11, 1978 (United States), February 2, 1979 (Germany - 12), April 30, 1981 (Australia)
- Alternative Titles: La Carapate (FR), 欢喜大逃亡 (CN), A Grande Carrapata (PT), Ucieczka (PL), Втеча (UA), The Escape (UK), Out of It (US), La gran escapada (ES)
- Production Companies: Gaumont International
- Production Countries: France
Out of It - Plot
The lawyer is visiting a prison to meet with a violent criminal who has been condemned to death. During the visit, things turn bad, there is a riot where prisoners escape and the criminal escapes taking a lawyer hostage.
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Out of It - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Gérard Oury
Main Cast
- Pierre Richard
- Victor Lanoux
- Raymond Bussières
- Jean-Pierre Darras
- Yvonne Gaudeau
- Jacques Frantz
- Claude Brosset
- Blanche Ravalec
- Claire Richard
- Bernard Granger
Writers
- Gérard Oury
- Danièle Thompson
Producers
- Alain Poiré
Out of It - FAQs
What is Out of It about?
Out of It follows a hapless lawyer who visits a condemned criminal in prison, only for a riot to break out. The prisoner escapes and drags the lawyer along as a hostage, setting off a chaotic cross-country chase full of comic misadventures. It's a classic French comedy of errors built on an unlikely duo.
Why is the lawyer-criminal duo so funny?
The comedy sparks from the total mismatch between Pierre Richard's bumbling, well-meaning lawyer Jean-Philippe and Victor Lanoux's brutish, street-smart Martial Gaulard. Their forced partnership — one terrified, the other ruthless — generates a constant stream of slapstick and situational humor that made the pairing a hit with French audiences.
Where can you stream or watch Out of It?
You can watch Out of It on Amazon Video, where it's available to buy or rent. It's a great pick for fans of classic French comedy or anyone curious about Gérard Oury's work with Pierre Richard.
What is the backdrop of the prison riot?
The film is set against the turbulent atmosphere of student riots in France, lending the prison break a topical edge. This social backdrop gives the comedy a grounding in real-era tensions, even as Oury keeps the tone light and farcical throughout the escape.
Who directed Out of It and what are their other films?
Gérard Oury directed Out of It. He's one of France's most beloved comedy filmmakers, responsible for classics like The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob (1973) and The Brain (1969). Out of It continues his tradition of fast-paced, crowd-pleasing comedies built around charismatic lead performances.
Who are the main actors in Out of It?
The film stars Pierre Richard as Jean-Philippe Duroc, the unlucky lawyer, and Victor Lanoux as Martial Gaulard, the death-row convict who takes him hostage. The supporting cast includes Raymond Bussières, Jean-Pierre Darras, Blanche Ravalec, and Jacques Frantz as the commissioner on their trail.
Was Out of It a success in France?
Yes, Out of It — released in France as La Carapate — was a solid box-office success. Gérard Oury had a loyal following, and the pairing of Pierre Richard with Victor Lanoux drew audiences. The film performed well domestically and was later distributed internationally under several alternative titles.
Is Out of It based on a true story?
No, Out of It is not based on a true story. The screenplay was written by Gérard Oury and Danièle Thompson, crafting an original comic scenario. While the film references the real social climate of student unrest in France, the characters and their chaotic escape are entirely fictional.
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