Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997)
Asterix Movies
Tagged: Film.
A number of Animated Movies, none particularly distinguished, have been made about Asterix.
1. Asterix the Gaul Belgian/French movie (original title Astérix le Gaulois) (1967). Dargaud/Belvision. Directed by Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo. Animation director: Willy Lateste. Screenplay by Lateste. Based on the Comics by Goscinny and Uderzo. 67 mins. Colour.
Caesar has conquered all Gaul except one small village, which resists the Romans thanks to the magic strength-giving Potion brewed by the druid Panoramix (UK readers of the comics will discover several of the main characters' names differ in this US dubbing). The local Roman commander sends his dopiest soldier, Caligula Minus, into the village to uncover this secret, then captures Panoramix and tortures him hoping to gain the formula. Asterix, the most resourceful in the village, comes to Panoramix's rescue, and the two fool the Romans into drinking a different potion, one that makes hair grow uncontrollably. This is, at least in the Amerenglish-language version, a surprisingly lacklustre adaptation, with a particularly rebarbative musical score. It is, however, probably the best of the series, later members of which are listed below.
2. Asterix and Cleopatra Belgian/French movie (1968). Directed by Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo. 70 mins. Colour.
3. The Twelve Tasks of Asterix (original title Les Douze Travaux d'Astérix; vt Asterix the Gaul 2: The Twelve Tasks of Asterix) French movie (1975). Idéfix. Directed by Rene Goscinny, Matt McCarthy, Albert Uderzo. 82 mins. Colour.
4. Asterix in Britain (original title Astérix Chez les Brétons; vt Asterix in Britain: The Movie) Danish/French movie (1986). Gaumont/Dargaud. Produced by Yannik Piel. Directed by Pino Van Lamsweerde. Screenplay by Pierre Tchernia. 89 mins. Colour.
5. Asterix and the Big Fight (original title Le Coup de Menhir) French/West German movie (1989). Palace/Gaumont/Extrafilm. Produced by Nicolas Pesques. Directed by Philippe Grimond. Screenplay by George Roubicek. 81 mins. Colour. [JG]
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Further titles are Asterix versus Caesar (1985) and Asterix Conquers America (1994).