The Last Adventure (1967)

"The Last Adventure" from 1967 is about three friends enjoying freedom, youth, and artistic expression.Manu (Alain Delon), Roland (Lino Ventura), and (Laetitia) Joanna Simkus are the three. In their own way, each is a daredevil. Manu is a pilot who attempts to fly through the Arch of Triumphe and as a result loses his pilot's license. Joanna is a artist who makes pieces out of scrap metal that she finds in Roland's scrapyard - she gives a big art exhibition and gets terrible reviews. Roland is a mechanic and inventor with a workshop where Manu often joins him; the two love to invent.A solid, platonic friendship is formed between Laetitia and the two men. Learning of a treasure in a plane at the bottom of the sea, the three go on a treasure hunt. It's more a way to have fun than to really find anything. During the trip, Manu reveals that he has romantic feelings for Laetitia, but she privately is more drawn to Roland - I think he seems less threatening to her. I mean, to be honest, I can't think of any other reason why she would resist Alain Delon. He's more beautiful than the scenery, which was lovely. And when he takes his shirt off and his hair grows longer...I digress.Alas, the real world is out there and wants to shatter this make- believe, childlike existence: the people who caused Manu to lose his license, Laetitia's art critics, and the men after the treasure at any price.This is a beautiful and bittersweet story of dreams and what it's like to be young, experimenting with life and spreading one's wings."The Last Adventure" has a cult following, particularly among baby boomers. It's filmed in beautiful settings and filled with lovely, poetic moments. The luminous Joanna Simkus became Mrs. Sidney Poitier in 1976 but seemingly retired before that, for those who may not be familiar with her. As has been pointed out, the director, Robert Enrico, is not considered an important director - he came along, I think, at the wrong time when people like Godard were "in" - but he does a marvelous job here.

I just saw this film in Paris, on TV, in French. Although my French is bad and I didn't understand the dialogue, I loved it. It was easy to understand the relationships between the characters and their love of life, until something happened to change it. It cheered me up when I was very tired. I would love to see it with subtitles - will British TV show it? Alain Delon was irresistible and his co-stars equally good. I am no lover of 1960s movies, but I admit that I haven't explored enough French movies from this period. This experience has encouraged me to see more, if I get the chance. It lacked the "naff" dated quality that some 60s films have - pure class all the way.

It's is hard to say anything about a movie like this. The previous commentators almost told everything. Let me share you just some extra thoughts.This film is about freedom. If you have not seen it, maybe you do not know what freedom is, and how it feels to be free. It shows a world that will not come back any more, and we can not be sorry enough for that. Something has gone. Something, that is present in each and every moment of this film. When watching it, you will feel short of breath, and that the room is not large enough.You will not forget the name Laeticia any more, and wont forget the song about her. Her death (I think this can be said) is the most tragedic one of film history. Incredible, but so simple. I'm a strong man, who never cries, but this is a moment that I can not resist crying.Her funeral is a memorable moment. I can suggest to everyone to see also Luc Besson's Big Blue, and compare Enzo's funeral to Laeticia's. That is Monsieur Besson's salute to the makers of this film.

A cult classic. My personal first of cult movies. I had friends who saw it over 30 times and I clearly remember its last screening in Hungary. Ignoring all fire regulations, the manager of the theatre let in everybody who showed up. I was standing in a crowd. Like all cult movies, it speaks the angst of its time. It does not really matter what it is about, what matters is how it feels. It is difficult for me to judge it now because it still touches me and I do not know how much of that is just the nostalgic longing for the angst of my youth. Neither do I know if it is possible for someone who did not live through the sixties to relate to it. Or if it can talk to American viewers. Cult movies can seldom be called cinematographic achievements; you will seldom find them in the books of film history, but if you want to understand the times they represent, nothing can replace them. This IS the movie of the sixties just as Easy Rider was the movie of the seventies.A definite must see.