Fantomas vs. Scotland Yard

This is undoubtedly the least of the series (and is saved from a ** rating by a hair): Fantomas is back to his old tricks, deciding that the time has come to tax the higher echelon of society of a good chunk of their wealth (no doubt the common people would applaud his efforts) - but, by now, the formula had grown pretty tired and the comic relief, regrettably, had practically obscured the romantic couple's purposefulness!

Still, why the setting has been changed to Scotland (of all places) is unclear, especially since Scotland Yard only really comes into play at the very end! What we get, in fact, is a lot of old jokes about ostensibly haunted castles, disappearing corpses and frightened manservants - with Louis De Funes' Commissioner Juve in the thick of it! - which are better suited to a Bob Hope or Abbott & Costello vehicle rather than one concerning the exploits of an iconic criminal mastermind!!; there's even the traditional fox-hunt which Fantomas disrupts by throwing in his own dog (barely disguised in fox furs) as a decoy!

Finally, the master criminal exits by way of a shuttle fired through the castle tower: how he managed to get it inside unobserved (and keep it from being discovered by the owners and their numerous guests, including our intrepid heroes) is anybody's guess! Unfortunately, then, the series ends on a bit of a whimper but it's sheer fun nonetheless and, ultimately, that's what really matters...

This has intrigue in the Scottish castles and woodlands and some freaky sort of turnabouts.

This third and final Fantômas movie is probably the weakest one, and that's mostly due to the script that contains some dumb illogical scenes. I found this one lesser entertaining than the first two movies. It's still a delight to watch Louis de Funès though. As usual he's the one that makes it worth watching, but from all his movies the Fantômas ones are the least funny. That's only my opinion but after having watched all his movies, and that for several times, I always come to this conclusion. But it's Louis de Funès, the greatest French comedian, so everything is forgiven. He is, was, and always will be the greatest.

The third of the series spends too much time and energy on Inspector Juve's more hysterical than usual performance being scared by fake ghosts in the style of the Three Stooges or Laurel & Hardy. The great Jean Marais has little to do as does Mylene Demongeot who has a funny bit when she kicks Marais in the butt for flirting with a sexy older woman, wife of the Scottish castle's owner and Fantomas' target for blackmail. de Fumes crazed performances as Juve can be an energy-draining experience, more in this film than in the previous two films. Over 50 during the Fantomas cycle, Marais was in great condition and did his own stunts. Demongeot is gorgeous and comedic yet sultry. A better script, more spectacular, was needed to end the trilogy worthy of Marais.

Fontamas contra scotland yard is the final installment in a delightful trilogy, and it truly delivers on all fronts. This 1967 film stars the incredible Louis de Funès and Jean Marais, and it's a masterclass in comedy, excitement, and suspense.

The chemistry between Louis and Jean is simply perfect; their performances are filled with energy, wit, and humor. The story is cleverly crafted, keeping you engaged and entertained from start to finish. Every scene is well-executed, balancing moments of laughter with genuine tension and intrigue. It's the kind of film that leaves you wanting more, wishing that the adventures of Fontamas would continue.

For fans of classic French cinema, this is an absolute must-watch. I give it a 10/10 for its flawless execution and for being a truly enjoyable experience that showcases the best of Louis de Funès' work.