7ème Compagnie is a French comedy film series of four films made between 1973 and 1979. It was written and directed by Robert Lamoureux and stars Pierre Richard and Jean Lefebvre as two misfit soldiers in the French Army during World War II. The series follows the two men’s adventures in various comical situations, as they struggle to survive and find their way home.
7ème Compagnie au Clair de Lune (1973)
The first film in the series, 7ème Compagnie au Clair de Lune (7th Company at Moonlight) was released in 1973 and follows the two protagonists, Sergeant Maréchal (Pierre Richard) and Corporal Lefèvre (Jean Lefebvre), as they join the French Army during World War II. They are assigned to the 7th Company, where they find themselves in various comical situations as they try to survive the war. The film was a success in France, and was the 10th most-watched film of 1973.
7ème Compagnie au clair de l’Eau (1977)
The second film in the series, 7ème Compagnie au Clair de l’Eau (7th Company at the Water’s Edge), was released in 1977 and follows the two protagonists as they are assigned to the 7th Company again, this time in a coastal town in occupied France. The two men must use their wits to survive in the face of the German occupation and help their fellow French citizens. The film was a success in France, and was the 8th most-watched film of 1977.
7ème Compagnie en rangs serrés (1978)
The third film in the series, 7ème Compagnie en Rangs Serrés (7th Company in Close Formation), was released in 1978 and follows the two protagonists as they are assigned to the 7th Company yet again, this time to an African desert outpost. The two men must use their wits to survive in the face of the hostile environment and help their fellow French soldiers. The film was a success in France, and was the 5th most-watched film of 1978.
7ème Compagnie au Front (1979)
The fourth and final film in the series, 7ème Compagnie au Front (7th Company at the Front), was released in 1979 and follows the two protagonists as they are assigned to the 7th Company for the fourth and final time, this time to the front line of the war. The two men must use their wits to survive in the face of the enemy and help their fellow French soldiers. The film was a success in France, and was the 6th most-watched film of 1979.
Legacy
The four films of the 7ème Compagnie series were a success in France and remain popular today. The films spawned a number of spin-offs and sequels, including a TV series, a stage play, and several video games. The two protagonists, Maréchal and Lefèvre, have become iconic characters in French popular culture, and their adventures have been the subject of numerous books and articles.
Reception
The four films of the 7ème Compagnie series were generally well-received by critics and audiences alike. The films have a rating of 8.1/10 on IMDb and an average rating of 4/5 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Awards and Nominations
The four films of the 7ème Compagnie series have won numerous awards and nominations, including:
- 1973: 7ème Compagnie au Clair de Lune was nominated for two César Awards, including Best Film.
- 1977: 7ème Compagnie au Clair de l’Eau was nominated for three César Awards, including Best Film.
- 1978: 7ème Compagnie en Rangs Serrés was nominated for two César Awards, including Best Film.
- 1979: 7ème Compagnie au Front won two César Awards, including Best Film.
The series has also won numerous other awards and nominations, including two BAFTA Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and one Academy Award nomination.