Film

Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century

1960Directed by Norbert Carbonnaux

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Released
Runtime
1h 28m

About Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century

  • Comedy

Synopsis

Charming and innocent, Candide is vigorously chased away by the Baron, for his close encounters with the pretty Cunégonde. World War II breaks out, and when he is drafted and taken prisoner, he is forced to take German nationality and ends up guarding the camp where he was imprisoned. He crossed into Switzerland, but as he had no bank account, he was incarcerated for eight days for trespassing. Hunted by the Gestapo, he kills two men to free Cunégonde, who has finally been found. They both flee to Argentina, and their world tour begins. In Paris, Moscow, New York, Borneo and Alexandria. They try to follow Dr. Pangloss' optimistic rule of life. Tossed about, separated, they find themselves grown old and wiser, thinking only of cultivating their garden on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Director
  • Norbert Carbonnaux
Writers
  • Voltaire
  • Norbert Carbonnaux
  • Albert Simonin
Original title
Candide ou l’optimisme au XXᵉ siècle

Principal cast

In billing order