The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe

The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe

Industry	Film
Founded	1972
Headquarters	France
Products	Spy comedy film

The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe () is a 1972 French spy comedy film directed by Yves Robert and co-written by Robert alongside Francis Veber. The cast features Pierre Richard, Bernard Blier, Jean Rochefort, and Mireille Darc. Pierre Richard returned as François Perrin in the follow-up, The Return of the Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe (1974), as well as in La Chèvre (1981). An English-language adaptation titled The Man with One Red Shoe (1985) starred Tom Hanks.

Plot

Bernard Milan, who serves as the deputy head of France's Counter-Espionage division, schemes to undermine his superior Louis Toulouse in order to assume his position. When a French heroin trafficker arrested in New York alleges that the operation was a covert mission directed by Counter-Espionage—actually orchestrated by Milan—damaging media coverage ensues, tarnishing Toulouse’s reputation without proof implicating Milan. In retaliation, Toulouse devises a ploy: he sends his aide Perrache to Orly Airport to intercept a supposed top agent but instructs him to randomly select any traveler.

Perrache picks François Perrin, a violinist distinguished by wearing mismatched shoes due to a prank. Misled by this choice, Milan attempts to extract intelligence from Perrin, unaware that Perrin is completely ignorant of espionage affairs. Milan’s investigations entangle Perrin in a series of odd predicaments which Perrin manages to evade through sheer luck, intensifying Milan’s suspicions. Meanwhile, Perrin becomes aware of Milan’s chief operative, the alluring Christine, while simultaneously involved in an affair with Paulette Lefebvre, spouse of his close friend Maurice—both members of the orchestra. Trouble escalates when Maurice misinterprets a recorded conversation revealing the affair between Perrin and Paulette.

Milan commands Christine to seduce Perrin; their liaison is closely observed by Milan’s surveillance team. Although Christine harbors doubts about Perrin’s status as an agent, Milan resolves to have him eliminated, with Toulouse planning to conceal the act. Defying orders, Perrache takes steps to safeguard Perrin.

The resulting turmoil includes Maurice uncovering the affair and Christine switching allegiances to protect Perrin. The conflict reaches a climax with fatalities among agents and Milan himself dying after learning the truth from Perrache, ironically appreciating it in his final moments. Maurice experiences a psychological collapse after witnessing repeated violent episodes at Perrin’s residence.

At Orly Airport, Perrin boards a flight to Rio de Janeiro with Christine concealed inside a large suitcase. Observing from afar, Toulouse instructs Perrache to contact Perrin upon his return, acknowledging his unexpected effectiveness.

Reception

The film holds a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on four favorable and two unfavorable critic reviews.

It earned $4.3 million at the box office in West Germany.

Awards

At the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival in 1973, the film received the Silver Bear award and was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film by the U.S. National Board of Review.

External links

• Film photogallery