El toison de oro

Yves Robert's best works deal with children and/or men who's got their child's soul (big children): " La Guerre des Boutons" "Les Copains" " Un Elephant ça Trompe Enormement" and his two Pagnol biographies which conquered the whole world "La Gloire de Mon Père" and "Le Château de Ma Mère".

All these who have read Maurice Leblanc's books know that Arsene Lupin has a childlike side too.In several of his adventures ,his old nanny Victoire appears.In "L'Aiguille Creuse" ,the young student Isidore Beautrelet looks like a young doppelganger of the hero.This character is featured in "signé Arsène Lupin".

"Signé Arsène Lupin" ,like Becker's "Les Aventures d'Arsene Lupin" was not adapted from a Leblanc novel.But it's faithful to the writer's spirit;the hint at the treasures the kings of France squandered for their mistresses directly comes from "L'Aiguille Creuse" .It's interesting to note that virtually none of the Lupin movies was based on an original novel whereas the MTV miniseries ("L'Ile Aux Trente Cercueils" "813" ) were.The last attempt was an exception,being based on "la Comtesse de Cagliostro" while introducing elements from other adventures.

Robert Lamoureux portrays Lupin with gusto and Alida Valli has mystery and charm going for her,the Lupinesque heroine's trademarks;Director Yves Robert appears as Lupin's treacherous sidekick.All in all,this is certainly one of the most pleasant Lupin movies.

Although the action takes place in Burgundy,the scenes in the castle were actually filmed in Château Gaillard ,Les Andelys,Normandy,like Georges Franju's "Judex".