I don't think this movie is much to get excited about either but I don't agree that the "easily entertained" are stupid or that they should be "ignored" because of some perception of same, valid or no. I also think that when being dictatorial rather than critical which is the proper tone for a review, one should know the difference in meaning between "fitfully" and "fittingly." When it comes to stupidity, let he who is without etc.... I have seen more than one film which I thought was "stupid" but rarely do I think that people who disagree with my opinion are "stupid" simply because they like something I don't. I am also uncomfortable with the notion that their right to be entertained is predicated on their personal taste.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced Etienne Gerard to readers in 1894. This quixotic, delightful character has since been depicted rather disappointingly, not least in this misjudged mishmash by arty-farty Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski who has turned what the author intended as a satire into an infantile, puerile farce rendered even more ridiculous by the terminally irritating and totally incongruous score of Riz Ortolani.

Skolimowski had at least the good sense to take with him to Italy his fellow countryman Witold Sobocinski, whose camerawork is splendid. Apart from that we have a collection of thespians, some of whom should know better, making utter fools of themselves. The only one who emerges smelling of roses is the glorious Claudia Cardinale. She and Sobocinski at least warrant awarding this ludicrous opus 'deux points'.

It is supremely ironic that the adaptor here, H. A. L. Craig, turned in such an excellent script for the other Napoleonic film of that year 'Waterloo'. Grotesquely ironic is that in Skolimowski's effort the author's son Adrian is billed as 'technical advisor'. I sincerely hope that when seeing the finished film he hung his head in shame. By all accounts Skolimowski himself was disappointed with the result. Quelle surprise!

Should you listen carefully you will hear the sound of Sir Arthur turning in his grave!