Table of contents

1 Plot summary 2 Cast 3 References

Plot summary

This 1966 film, directed by Philippe de Broca, stars Alan Bates as Charles Plumplick, a kilt-wearing Scottish soldier who is sent by his commanding officer to disarm the bomb. Plumpick, an army ornithology specialist in charge of carrier pigeons, is sent because he is one of the only men in the unit able to speak French.

When Plumpick enters the town, he unknowingly leaves the door to the insane assylum open while being chased by the Germans. When the Germans have left the town, all of the inmates leave the asylum and take over the town, working in the shops and living in the houses.

Having announced earlier to the former inmates that he was the King of Hearts, Plumpick is treated as the king and is subject to kingly duties as he frantically tries to find the bomb before it goes off.

The last scene is the image of Plumpick stading naked in front of the asylum with his pigeon cage, begging to be let in.

Cast