The Return of James Battle

2004 1h 32m FR

😐

5.6

MID

⭐

5.3

IMDB

★5.6TMDB · 86★5.3IMDB · 1,513

AdventureComedyHorror

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

James Bataille is in love. He attempts to stage an elaborate motorcycle stunt to impress the girl, but when it goes sour, he ends up in prison with a 133-year sentence. Bataille escapes from behind bars to make an appointment to fix the car of music biz tycoon, as well as watch the love of his life take part in the town's annual talent show.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Vanessa Paradis
Concia
Jason Flemyng
James Bataille
Benoît Poelvoorde
Allan Chiasse
Jean-Pierre Marielle
Bosco
Venantino Venantini
Matt Kelso
Vincent Tavier
Chief Brody
Bouli Lanners
Chip
Jacky Lambert
Dips

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Thierry Poiraud
Writers: Jean-Phillippe Dugand, Marie Garel-Weiss, Vincent Tavier
Languages: French
Countries: Belgium, France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 22 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Belgium, France.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Thierry Poiraud, shot by Philippe Le Sourd. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by The Little Rabbits. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Mario Battistel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Vanessa Paradis and Jason Flemyng and Benoît Poelvoorde carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0362084 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 86 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Thierry Poiraud directs. Philippe Le Sourd behind the camera. The Little Rabbits scores. Mario Battistel cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Belgium, France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 22 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: Belgium, France.
3Directed by Thierry Poiraud, shot by Philippe Le Sourd. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by The Little Rabbits. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Mario Battistel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Vanessa Paradis and Jason Flemyng and Benoît Poelvoorde carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0362084 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 86 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.