66 Years Ago, Philippe Noiret Starred with This French Cinema Icon: ‘The World’s Most Charming Man’

If you’re familiar with Philippe Noiret’s career, you might recall his role in “Le Capitaine Fracasse” (1960). Sporting a full head of curly black hair and a thick beard, he portrayed Herod, the leader of a troupe of actors allied with Baron de Sigognac.

Jean Marais, a prominent figure in French cinema from the 1930s to the 1970s, known for his impeccable diction and intense gaze, played the lead role opposite Gérard Barray (future roles as D’Artagnan and Pardaillan), Geneviève Grad, Riccardo Garrone, the inevitable Guy Delorme, Philippe Noiret, and even… Louis de Funès.

“The Most Charming Man in the World”

In his autobiography, “Mémoire cavalière,” Noiret commends Marais, who, before Jean-Paul Belmondo, was known for performing his own risky stunts in swashbuckling films:

“I had several scenes with him. He was the most charming man in the world. He gave his all, with a flair and bravery that were uniquely his. Jean Marais was the only one treated almost normally by the production team and even had a trailer. Thus, we would all cram inside, much like in a Marx Brothers’ cabin.”

With “Le Capitaine Fracasse,” Jean Marais continued his newly carved path as a historical adventure hero, a journey that began with “Le Bossu” (1959). This was followed by “Le Capitan” (1960), “Fracasse” and “Le Miracle des loups” (1961), and later “Le Masque de fer” (1962).

The First Film for Two Best Friends

It’s worth noting that “Fracasse” was the first time Noiret shared the big screen with his lifelong friend Jean Rochefort, whom he met at the Conservatoire de Paris. Rochefort played the swordsman Malartic. They would go on to appear together in ten more films including “La Porteuse de pain,” “Merveilleuse Angélique,” “Qui êtes-vous Polly Maggoo?,” “L’Horloger de Saint-Paul,” “Que la fête commence,” “La Grande cuisine,” “Il faut tuer Birgitt Haas,” “L’Ami de Vincent,” “Tango,” and “Les Grands ducs.”

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