L'Opération Corned-Beef
| Company type | Motion picture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | February 6, 1991 |
| Founder | Jean-Marie Poiré, Christian Clavier |
| Products | Comedy, action, adventure film |
| Parent | Gaumont, Alpilles productions, Amigo productions, Alter Films, TF1 Films Production |
L'Opération Corned Beef is a French motion picture helmed by Jean-Marie Poiré, shot during the summer of 1990 and premiered on 6 February 1991. This film represents the fifth joint effort between Poiré and screenwriter Christian Clavier, showcasing performances by Christian Clavier and Jean Reno prior to their collaboration in Les Visiteurs.
Synopsis
Taking place in Bogotá, Colombia, the story follows Captain Philippe Boulier, nicknamed 'Le Squale' (Jean Reno), who is surveilling arms trafficker Augusto Zargas (André Schmit). The French intelligence agency (DGSE) covertly installs a listening device inside the engagement ring of Marie-Laurence Granianski (Valérie Lemercier), an interpreter connected to Zargas.
Marie-Laurence intends to celebrate a wedding anniversary getaway with her spouse Jean-Jacques (Christian Clavier). Meanwhile, 'Le Squale' seeks to interfere with their plans by deploying an operative to seduce Jean-Jacques. Unaware of the scheme, Jean-Jacques faces temptation from the agent, his fiancée Isabelle (Isabelle Renauld). Despite the ploy, Jean-Jacques, who works as a corporate psychologist, remains steadfast.
Technical details
- Title: L'Opération Corned Beef
- Director: Jean-Marie Poiré
- Screenplay: Jean-Marie Poiré, Christian Clavier
- Producer: Alain Terzian
- Production companies: Gaumont, Alpilles productions, Amigo productions, Alter Films, TF1 Films Production
- Cinematographer: Jean-Yves Le Mener
- Composer: Eric Lévi
- Editor: Catherine Kelber
- Casting director: Françoise Menidrey
- Language: French (including Spanish and German dialogues)
- Format: Colour – 35mm – CinemaScope
- Duration: 105 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, action, adventure
- Release dates:
- France: 6 February 1991
- Germany: 13 June 1991
- Hungary: 21 February 1992 (Marhakonzerv akció)
- Spain: 11 March 1994 (Operación Chuleta de Ternera)
- Japan: 5 March 1997 (direct-to-video)
Cast
- Christian Clavier as Jean-Jacques Granianski
- Jean Reno portraying Captain Philippe Boulier, also known as "le Squale," DGSE agent
- Valérie Lemercier as Marie-Laurence Granianski
- Isabelle Renauld in the role of Lieutenant Isabelle Fourreau
- Mireille Rufel as Aspirant Monique Garcia
- Jacques François playing General Masse of the DGSE
- Francis Coffinet as Georges Favart, colleague of Boulier at DGSE
- Marc de Jonge as Horst Burger, Austrian consul
- Jacques Dacqmine portraying General Moulin from DST
- Raymond Gérôme as Ghislain Chauffereau, father-in-law to Granianski
- Dimitri Rougeul playing Geoffroy, son of Granianski
- Jacques Sereys as Defence Minister
- André Schmit in the role of Argentinian colonel Augusto Zargas
- Philippe Laudenbach as Minister of Home Affairs
- Jean-Marie Cornille portraying Adjoint-general secretary Froment, known for walking President Mitterrand's dog
- Yves Barsacq as the president’s butler
- Dan Simkovitch playing Delphine Granger, 2nd class
- Jean-Pierre Clami as a traveler stopped by Boulier at airport restrooms
- Luc Barney performing Robin des Bois at Élysée Palace
- Didier Gustin providing the voice of President François Mitterrand
- Uncredited actors depicted Presidents François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl from behind
- Jean-Marie Poiré appearing briefly as a cafeteria patron (cameo)
Origin and Progression
The film was proposed to producer Alain Terzian by Christian Clavier and director Jean-Marie Poiré, who both championed the project despite Terzian expressing reservations about the title. Although Terzian recommended changing it to Le Squale after the protagonist, the initial title remained unchanged. Poiré encountered difficulties initiating the project due to the unfavorable reception of his previous work.
Casting
Jean Reno accepted his inaugural comedic lead role portraying "Le Squale," while Valérie Lemercier landed her first significant supporting part following minor roles. Gérard Depardieu was initially considered for "Le Squale" but declined; other actors considered included Daniel Auteuil, Thierry Lhermitte, and Bernard Giraudeau. Ultimately, Jean Reno was cast based on Marie-Anne Chazel’s endorsement.
Producer Terzian recounted that Reno was secured through an agent connected to Luc Besson’s father, leading to Reno’s swift acceptance with flexible compensation terms. Poiré appreciated the generational mix, with Clavier representing Le Splendid and Reno recognized from The Big Blue.
Catherine Jacob had to forgo the role of Marie-Laurence Granianski due to scheduling conflicts; she later received a César nomination alongside Lemercier, who impressed both Poiré and Terzian during a theatrical performance. This production marked the first collaboration among Poiré, Clavier, Reno, and Lemercier, who later reunited for Les Visiteurs (1993).
For Lieutenant Isabelle Fourreau, Poiré selected newcomer Isabelle Renauld. The portrayal of the French President—only shown from behind—required casting an actor with a head closely resembling that of President François Mitterrand.
Stunt Work
At first, scenes inside the Citroën BX were shot using a voiture travelling rig where actors mimicked driving. However, this method restricted speed during a national road sequence demanding 140 km/h, causing disruptions from overtaking trucks and flashing lights. To resolve this, Jean Reno opted to drive the BX at 140 km/h amid regular traffic, with a remote camera mounted on the hood and sound equipment in the trunk. Reno performed some stunts personally, which increased Christian Clavier’s apprehensions as a passenger.
Vehicles
The movie prominently features various contemporary Citroën models (AX, BX, XM, CX EVASION Ambulance, C 25), all provided by Citroën:
- The Citroën BX driven by Jean-Jacques Granianski (Christian Clavier) is a 1990 BX 16 TGS painted in Red Delage. Six BXs were utilized: one nearly new vehicle for calm and interior shots and five older models refurbished for stunt sequences and action scenes. The sunflower field sequence employed an older BX featuring a brown interior instead of the newer gray upholstery.
- General Masse’s (Jacques François) Citroën XM—awarded to Granianski as compensation—is a 1990 XM V6 "Ambiance" finished in pearl gray metallic. A minor continuity oversight shows inconsistent interior upholstery in an early scene.
- General Moulin’s (Jacques Dacqmine) van is a 1987 Citroën C25E Combi Comfort in metallic Satellite Gray.
Filming locations
Scenes set in Colombia were actually filmed in Mexico, where the Mexican flag is visible on a building.
The DGSE agents’ occupational health vehicle, a Saviem SM 7, is stationed at 74 avenue d'Iéna in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, close to the Arc de Triomphe. Granianski parks his Citroën BX at the same spot when visiting his wife at the Consulate located across rue Auguste-Vacquerie.
Le Squale (Jean Reno) arrives at Orly West Airport after returning from Colombia; subsequent sequences at Orly depict him accompanying Granianski on a weekend trip to Venice.
The national road scenes featuring the Citroën BX were filmed along Route nationale 12 between Chérisy and Houdan.
Granianski’s residence scenes take place in Dreux but were shot on Allée des Terres Neuves in Croissy-sur-Seine.
The hospice entrance scene was captured in Theuville, Val-d'Oise.
General Masse’s Citroën XM is shown parked in an underground garage on Avenue George V, Paris 8th arrondissement. After abandoning Granianski’s BX following an explosion, Le Squale and Aspirant Garcia park a SEAT Marbella on Avenue George V near the former Bank Hervé site (currently Armani). Additional scenes include locations such as the Hotel Prince de Galles.
Several concluding sequences were filmed at Parc Astérix and its parking area, notably featuring a water ride formerly named "The Descent of the Styx."
Dubbing
Didier Gustin, then relatively unknown, performs impressions of François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl in a brief scene, appearing only from behind.
Music
The film’s score was composed by Eric Lévi, founder of the band Shakin' Street. Their track "Solid As Rock," written by Fabienne Shine, is included in the soundtrack. The main theme, "Passion For War / Love," was co-written by R. Stone and Éric Lévi and performed by Joan Paladin (Joan Peltz).
The soundtrack album titled Bande Originale du Film L'Opération Corned-Beef was released concurrently with the film.
- Credits
Promotion
The movie trailer showcases clips from the film accompanied by a voice-over from Jean Reno (Le Squale), delivering a message addressed to "My Dear Georges":
Reception
Valérie Lemercier received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 17th César Awards. Although she did not win on this occasion, she earned the award two years later for her dual roles in Les Visiteurs, directed by Jean-Marie Poiré.
Box office
L’Opération Corned Beef secured 15th place among French box office hits in 1991 with admissions totaling , generating 23 million French francs domestically.
Nomination
- Césars 1992: nomination for César Award for Best Supporting Actress awarded to Valérie Lemercier
Around the film
- The opening sequence satirizes Jacques Vabre's El Gringo café advertisement, reflecting the film’s comedic style.
- A reference to "l'opération Bateau coulé" alludes to the Rainbow Warrior affair, adding topical satire.
- The Colombian drug trafficking subplot inaccurately involves Peru’s Shining Path.
- Jean Reno and Dimitri Rougeul, who share a brief appearance here, later worked together on the French version of The Lion King (1994).
- Following success with Poiré’s Les Visiteurs, Operation Corned Beef saw a delayed release in Spain in 1994.
- Christian Clavier, featured here, subsequently played Asterix in Asterix and Obelix Against Caesar (2002).
- The Austrian consulate is suggested through visual elements such as flag colors, Tyrolean costumes, and a portrait of former Austrian President Kurt Waldheim.