Those unhappy few who feel the weight of Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies dragging them down and dream of the springtime of Roger Moore can turn to the Gérard Philipe swashbuckler Fanfan la Tulipe for a little innocent pleasure. Bouncy, acrobatic, impossible to get down (or pin down), Philipe’s hero is as shallow and enjoyably indestructible as Felix the Cat. And just as tricky.

Gina Lollobrigida is the Bond girl who never was. Kenneth Turan’s essay puts it all in perspective.

Grade: A

Fanfan la Tulipe is currently available.