The Adventures of Gerard

A film from Skolimowski's period of exile into the clutches of international co-production. Like his eminently Nabokovian King, Queen, Knave, it suffers from the semi-dubbing of an 'English version', with voices and bodies sometimes coming apart. But excused by commerce from the need to be serious, Skolimowski gives free rein to his fantasy in a careering period charade which makes amiable mockery of military glory. McEnery is perfect as Conan Doyle's dashing French hussar, prancing through Napoleon's Peninsular campaign with one hand on hip and the other courting disasters averted only by his sublime insouciance. Not all the gags work, but enough do to make this something of a welcome - and exquisitely photographed - treat.