Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!
A high-flying wartime comedy that paints a chaotic, heartwarming chase across occupied France, evoking laughter in the face of adversity through a vibrant, frenetic visual ballet.
Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!
Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!

La Grande Vadrouille

08 December 1966 France 132 min ⭐ 7.9 (1,406)
Director: Gérard Oury
Cast: Bourvil, Louis de Funès, Terry-Thomas, Claudio Brook, Mike Marshall
War Comedy
Unlikely Heroes and Civilian Courage Social Class and Solidarity National Identity and the Myth of Resistance The Absurdity of War

Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At! - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Augustin Bouvet

Bourvil

Archetype: The Everyman Hero
Key Trait: Good-natured

Motivation

Initially motivated by a basic sense of duty and empathy, Augustin's primary motivation becomes loyalty to the people he has sworn to help and a growing sense of patriotic responsibility, spurred on by his burgeoning affection for Juliette.

Character Arc

Augustin begins as a simple, good-natured house painter who wants no trouble. He is kind and unassuming. Through his forced partnership with Stanislas and his commitment to helping the British airmen, he discovers a quiet courage and resourcefulness he never knew he had, becoming a dependable and brave member of the group.

Stanislas Lefort

Louis de Funès

Archetype: The Reluctant Hero / The Curmudgeon with a Heart of Gold
Key Trait: Irascible

Motivation

His initial motivation is pure self-preservation. He helps the airmen only because he fears the consequences of not doing so. This evolves into a desire to protect his newfound companions and a grudging acceptance of his patriotic duty.

Character Arc

Stanislas starts as a comically arrogant, self-important, and cowardly conductor, concerned only with his own comfort and career. Dragged into the escape against his will, the perilous journey humbles him. He slowly sheds his selfishness, forms an unlikely bond with Augustin, and ultimately embraces his role in the resistance, even taking command in critical moments.

Sir Reginald Brook

Terry-Thomas

Archetype: The Dashing Officer
Key Trait: Unflappable

Motivation

As a British officer, his motivation is clear and unwavering: to evade capture, reunite his crew, and return to Allied territory to continue fighting the war. He is driven by duty and patriotism.

Character Arc

Sir Reginald, known as "Big Moustache," remains a steadfast and unflappable leader throughout the film. His arc is less about personal change and more about adapting his military command style to the chaotic civilian world of the French Resistance. He maintains his British stiff upper lip and sense of humor even in the most absurd situations, providing a comic contrast to his French helpers.

Juliette

Marie Dubois

Archetype: The Plucky Ally
Key Trait: Resourceful

Motivation

Juliette is motivated by her strong patriotic convictions and her desire to help the Allied cause. She risks her own safety without hesitation to aid the escaping airmen and their French companions.

Character Arc

Juliette is a brave and resourceful young woman from the very beginning. Working as a puppeteer, she is already involved with the Resistance. Her arc involves her growing affection for the British airman Peter Cunningham and her role as a steady, capable guide for the bumbling heroes, representing the steadfast and courageous spirit of the French people.

Cast

Bourvil as Augustin Bouvet, house painter
Louis de Funès as Stanislas Lefort, conductor at the Paris Opera
Terry-Thomas as Squadron Leader Sir Reginald Brook, Royal Air Force
Claudio Brook as Peter Cunningham
Mike Marshall as Aircraftman Alan MacIntosh, Royal Air Force
Marie Dubois as Juliette
Pierre Bertin as Juliette's grandfather, owner of the Guignol theater
Andréa Parisy as Sister Marie-Odile
Mary Marquet as Mother Superior of the Hospices de Beaune
Colette Brosset as Madame Germaine
Benno Sterzenbach as Major Achbach
Henri Génès as Keeper of the Vincennes zoo with the Occitan accent
Paul Préboist as Fisherman in the boat
Sieghardt Rupp as Lieutenant Sturmer
Guy Grosso as The talkative bassoonist of the Paris Opera orchestra