While de Funès had appeared in dozens of films by 1964, Let's Rob the Bank marked one of his first leading roles where he established his trademark "grouchy yet charismatic" persona. It also began a long and successful collaboration with director , who would go on to direct him in the iconic Gendarme series. Critics often note that de Funès' high-energy performance and over-the-top expressions carry the film, even when the plot relies on "old-timer buffoonery". Cast and Reception
The comedy stems from Victor enlisting his entire family—his wife, son, and two daughters—to help him dig a tunnel from their basement to the bank's vault. The operation is plagued by absurd setbacks, including: Let's Rob the Bank (1964)
: Starring Louis de Funès as Victor Garnier, Jean-Pierre Marielle as the villainous banker, and Yvonne Clech as Victor's wife. While de Funès had appeared in dozens of
: The family lacks any professional criminal skills, leading to far-fetched and surreal situational humor. Cast and Reception The comedy stems from Victor
: The film was a commercial success, drawing nearly 2 million admissions in France. Reviewers on platforms like IMDb and Letterboxd generally rate it as a lighthearted, fast-paced classic for fans of burlesque-style French cinema. Let's Rob the Bank (1964) - IMDb
: The original title is a play on words; while "faites sauter la banque" typically means "breaking the bank" at a casino, the film takes it literally as an actual physical heist. A Career Turning Point
The film follows Victor Garnier (de Funès), a humble owner of a hunting and fishing shop who naively invests his family's life savings in an African mine on the recommendation of his neighbor, a crooked bank manager. When the investment collapses, a ruined Victor decides the only fair way to get his money back is to rob the bank next door.