Dynamite Jack (1961)
A French tenderfoot stumbles into the Wild West and discovers he is the perfect double of the territory's most feared outlaw.
Dynamite Jack - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1961
- Directed by: Jean Bastia
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 3, 1961 (France)
- Production Companies: Les Productions Jacques-Paul Bertrand, Cineraid, Federal International Films
- Production Countries: France
Dynamite Jack - Plot
Antoine Espérandieu, a French tenderfoot, lands in Windows Canyon, Arizona, a remote place under the thumb of dangerous outlaw Dynamite Jack, only to discover the friend he was to meet there has been murdered. Worse, it is not long before Antoine realizes he is Jack's perfect lookalike. All the same, he decides to settle down in the small town, where he becomes the local tax collector. One day, he finds himself face to face with the bandit...
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Dynamite Jack - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jean Bastia
Main Cast
- Fernandel
- Eleonora Vargas
- Lucien Raimbourg
- Jess Hahn
- Adrienne Corri
- Georges Lycan
- Claude d'Yd
- Todd Martin
- Viviane Méry
- Margaret Russell
Writers
- Jack Ary
- Jean Manse
- Jacques Emmanuel
- Jean Bastia
Dynamite Jack - FAQs
What is Dynamite Jack about?
Dynamite Jack follows Antoine Espérandieu, a naive French newcomer who arrives in the Arizona frontier town of Windows Canyon, only to find his friend has been murdered. Things get stranger when he realizes he is the spitting image of the territory's most feared outlaw — the very man called Dynamite Jack.
Does Fernandel play a double role in Dynamite Jack?
Yes! Fernandel plays both the bumbling French tenderfoot Antoine Espérandieu and the dangerous outlaw Dynamite Jack. The dual role is the heart of the film's comedy, putting the beloved French comedian's rubber-faced expressiveness to full use as the two lookalikes eventually come face to face.
Is Dynamite Jack a comedy or a true Western?
It's very much a comedy first, Western second. Director Jean Bastia uses the classic American frontier setting as a backdrop for slapstick humor and mistaken-identity farce, leaning heavily on Fernandel's comic persona. Think of it as a French take on the fish-out-of-water Western, played entirely for laughs.
Who are the main actors in Dynamite Jack?
The cast is led by the legendary French comedian Fernandel in the dual title role. He's joined by Eleonora Vargas as Dolores, Lucien Raimbourg as Sheriff Scotty, Jess Hahn as Sergeant Bob, and Adrienne Corri as Pegeen O'Brien, rounding out a lively ensemble.
Where can you watch Dynamite Jack?
Streaming availability for Dynamite Jack varies by region. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current viewing options across rental, purchase, and streaming platforms in your country, so you can find the most up-to-date and convenient way to watch the film.
Who directed Dynamite Jack and wrote the screenplay?
Jean Bastia directed the film and also contributed to the screenplay alongside Jack Ary, Jean Manse, and Jacques Emmanuel. Bastia was a regular collaborator with Fernandel, and the writing team crafted the mistaken-identity premise to showcase the comedian's signature style of physical and situational comedy.
What are some films similar to Dynamite Jack?
If you enjoy Dynamite Jack's blend of comedy and Western setting, you might also like Cowboy (1958), True Grit (1969), Barbarosa (1982), or Go West (1940). Each offers its own spin on frontier adventure, ranging from straight-faced Westerns to outright comedic takes on the genre.
When and where was Dynamite Jack released?
Dynamite Jack premiered in France on November 3, 1961. It was a French production, shot with a distinctly Gallic comedic sensibility despite its American Wild West setting, and it proved a popular vehicle for Fernandel, one of France's most beloved comic actors of the era.
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