Movie spotlight
Hibernatus
Hubert de Tartas' life becomes a complete muddle when his wife's grandfather is unearthed after having spent 65 years in frozen hibernation in the polar circle. After being de-frosted, the Hibernating Man believes it is still the beginning of the century. Nothing is spared to keep that illusion alive. At the end of his rope, Hubert blurts out the truth and takes the man from Edwardian times on a crazy spree through an ultramodern Twentieth Century.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy industrialist, hoping to preserve his family's legacy, has his grandfather cryogenically frozen. Centuries later, when the grandfather is accidentally thawed, he struggles to adapt to the modern world and his family's eccentricities. The film follows the ensuing chaos and comedic situations as the family tries to manage the bewildered time traveler.
Critical Reception
Hibernatus was a commercial success in France, appealing to audiences with its slapstick humor and the popular comedic stylings of Louis de Funès. Critically, it received a mixed reception, with some praising its lighthearted entertainment and de Funès' performance, while others found the plot predictable and the humor formulaic.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its lighthearted and whimsical premise.
Louis de Funès delivers his signature comedic performance, which is a major draw.
Some critics found the plot overly simplistic and the jokes to be repetitive.
Google audience: Audience reception data for this film on Google is not readily available, but its box office success in France suggests it was well-received by general audiences at the time of its release.
Fun Fact
The film's premise of cryogenic freezing was quite futuristic for 1969, reflecting a growing interest in science fiction concepts in popular culture.
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