Quarter to Two Before Jesus Christ

1982 1h 22m FR

😐

6.0

MID

★6.0TMDB · 210

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In ancient Rome, a simple pepboy for chars becomes involved in a coup against Cesar. Rahatlocum is a North African Roman colony where Julius Caesar came to spend an expensive holiday. The revolt rumbles among the locals who find a leader in the person of Ben-Hur Marcel.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Coluche
Ben-Hur Marcel / Aminemephet
Michel Serrault
Jules César
Jean Yanne
Paulus
Françoise Fabian
Laetitia
Michel Auclair
Consul Demetrius
Mimi Coutelier
Cléopâtre
Darry Cowl
Faucuius
Paul Préboist
Lion keeper

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jean Yanne
Writers: Jean Yanne, Jean Yanne
Languages: French
Countries: France

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

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Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

82 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

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44 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jean Yanne, shot by Mario Vulpiani. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Raymond Alessandrini. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Coluche and Michel Serrault and Jean Yanne carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0083824 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jean Yanne directs. Mario Vulpiani behind the camera. Raymond Alessandrini scores. Gérard Hardy cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

182 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
244 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by Jean Yanne, shot by Mario Vulpiani. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Raymond Alessandrini. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Gérard Hardy shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Coluche and Michel Serrault and Jean Yanne carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0083824 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 17 themes, including "roman empire", "demonstration", "catacombs", "chariot race".