La Vache et le Prisonnier (English version: "The Cow and I") is a French-Italian tragicomedy film from 1959 starring Fernandel

Fernandel

Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin , better known as Fernandel, was a French actor and singer. Born in Marseille, France, he was a comedy star who first gained popularity in French vaudeville, operettas, and music-hall revues...

 and directed by Henri Verneuil

Henri Verneuil

Henri Verneuil was a French-Armenian playwright and filmmaker, who enjoyed a successful career in France.-Biography:...

. The story was based on Jacques Antoine

Jacques Antoine

Jacques Antoine is a French writer of game shows. He had successes in the 1980s with Treasure Hunt and Interceptor, and in the 1990s with Fort Boyard and The Crystal Maze.-Credits:...

's novel, Une histoire vraie. It is considered to be a classic and one of Fernandel's most iconic and popular films. It was Fernandel's highest grossing film ever in 1959.

The film was shot in black and white. In 1990 a colorized version was released.

Plot

In 1943 Charles Bailly (Fernandel

Fernandel

Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin , better known as Fernandel, was a French actor and singer. Born in Marseille, France, he was a comedy star who first gained popularity in French vaudeville, operettas, and music-hall revues...

), a prisoner of war, decides to escape from the farm where he works. He travels through the country, accompanied by his cow, Marguerite.

Cast

• Fernandel
  Fernandel
  Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin , better known as Fernandel, was a French actor and singer. Born in Marseille, France, he was a comedy star who first gained popularity in French vaudeville, operettas, and music-hall revues...
  
   : Charles Bailly
• René Havard
  René Havard
  René Havard was a French film actor. He appeared in 80 films between 1946 and 1985.He was born and died in Paris, France.-Selected filmography:* The Sheep Has Five Legs * The Unfrocked One...
  
   : Bussière
• Ingeborg Schöner
  Ingeborg Schöner
  -Selected filmography:* Season in Salzburg * Waldrausch * When the Grapevines Bloom on the Danube * Legacy of the Incas * Das Vermächtnis des Inka * Kidnapped to Mystery Island...
  
   : Helga
• Bernard Musson : Pommier
• Ellen Schwiers : Josépha
• Pierre Louis : an escaped prisoner in disguise
• Franziska Kinz : Helga's mother
• Maurice Nasil : Bertoux
• Richard Winckler : another escaped prisoner in disguise
• Benno Hoffmann : a prison guard
• Albert Rémy
  Albert Rémy
  Albert Rémy was a French actor best known for his supporting roles in François Truffaut's first two feature films. He played Antoine Doinel's father in The 400 Blows and Charlie Koller's brother in Shoot the Piano Player...
  
   : Collinet
• Franz Muxeidener
• Marcel Rouzé
• Marguerite : the cow
• Heinrich Gretler
  Heinrich Gretler
  -Selected filmography:* Gilberte de Courgenay * Herz der Welt * Es geschah am hellichten Tag * The Ideal Woman * Kohlhiesel's Daughters -External links:...
  
  

External links

• http://filmsdefrance.com/FDF_La_vache_et_le_prisonnier_rev.html