Papy fait de la résistance

Jean-Marie Poiré's 1983 French war comedy Papy fait de la résistance, sold in English-speaking markets as Gramps Is in the Resistance, was savaged by French critics on release, yet it drew four million admissions and over the years became a cult film in France. Adapted from a stage play written and originally staged by the Le Splendid company, it spoofs Resistance and Second World War cinema, down to the crowded all-star line-ups of The Longest Day and Is Paris Burning?.

The story sets resistance fighters against collaborators in occupied France. Two generations share the cast: the "new generation" of the 1970s and 80s, namely the Le Splendid troupe plus Jacques Villeret, Roland Giraud and Pauline Lafont; and the previous generation, Michel Galabru, Jacqueline Maillan and Jean Carmet. Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Martin Lamotte, Dominique Lavanant and Bernard Giraudeau are also in the cast.

The film is dedicated to the memory of Louis de Funès, who was to play Papy or Hitler's half-brother but died as the project began; Papy went to Michel Galabru and the half-brother to Jacques Villeret. Clavier, Lamotte and Poiré wrote the script, Les Films Christian Fechner produced it, and it runs 102 minutes.