User Reviews

this is a remake of "L'homme de Rio" of the same director and also starring Belmondo. The producers told De Broca to make a "super"-L'homme de Rio this time. But the comedy is taken a bit too far this time, which means the border to pure slapstick is crossed several times throughout the movie, which is unfortunate. Also the actor of the suicidal millionaire and the actor playing his butler should have switched roles; I think even the director stated that once in an interview.

There are several references to its preceding movie, most obvious; in one scene the girl calls Belmondo "Arthur" instead of "Adrien"; "Arthur" was the name of Belmondos character in the first movie. In the first movie Belmondo asks his girl; "what's next, are we going to China?".

User reviews of "L'homme de Rio" correctly mention the fact that Spielberg very obviously was inspired by that '63 French movie when making Indiana Jones. Well, watch this movie and you will experience even more deja-vus.

This is a well done and very entertaining adventure-comedy movie. Go see it.

This film is very typical of the spirit of the sixties, a nice mixture of exotic adventure film, comedy and action. It seems not to be everyone's taste, but it's definitely my liking! The story is being driven at a frantic pace and Belmondo is completely in his element. He runs, jumps, and twirls in all directions. Some action scenes are still impressive by today's standards. Ursula Andress brings the necessary touch of charm and seduction and Jean Rochefort (without his legendary mustache) is impeccable in his role of faithful servant. The images shot on location in Hong Kong, India, and Nepal are a real treat and have a documentary value today. Ideally, watch it after the even better "the man from Rio", of which he does not quite reach the level, but constitutes a very pleasant and entertaining sequel. I recommend to watch it with your children and teenagers, the will love it!

Apparently - "Up To His Ears" (from 1965) was the rip-roarin' French comedy that actually inspired American film-maker, Steven Spielberg to undertake directing "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" (from 1984).

To be sure - When certain scenes (involving some truly wild and incredible stunts) take place in the action - The viewer will automatically recognize clear similarities between these 2 pictures.

I'd also say that there is clearly something of a "decidedly" Monty Python-esque feel to the overall flow of events that take place in this wacky tale, as well.

But - Unfortunately - When it comes to the whole slapstick eccentricity of this film's zany action - It seems that the French don't appear to know too much about creative restraint. And, so - Before long - This potentially amusing tale gets too carried away with itself. And, with that - Coherent sensibility promptly sails right out the window.

I won't say much as you need to see the movie to be caught by it's adventure theme that's never stop. Bebel is great, Ursulla, sexy of course, and the plethora of second characters make a kind of in movie family. If you like to travel and enjoy visual humor, this movie is for you.

Back in the '60s, everyone loved a cool spy flick. James Bond, Derek Flint, Harry Palmer (and even Maxwell Smart) were the famous secret agents, but probably not as many people remember "Les tribulations d'un chinois en Chine". It has French everyman Arthur Lempereur (Jean-Paul Belmondo) getting involved in espionage in Hong Kong. A really fun scene is the whole chase scene. However, in my opinion, the intrigue and stuff gets overshadowed by Ursula Andress's presence. There's one scene in particular that will very likely remind you of her role in "Dr. No".

So, there always had to be spy stories involving hot babes. A flick similar to this one is "Die Holle von Macao" (also called "The Corrupt Ones") which starred Elke Sommer. You'll probably like both movies.

An action , spoof and adventure movie , very freely based on Jules Verne novel , which was a big hit at the international boxoffice . This funny and hilarious adventure deals with a unhappy millionaire called Arthur Lempereur : Jean Paul Belmondo who is attempting to commit suicide . Later on , he does business with an insurance company and hires two murderers to do it , then he meets a strip-tease dancer : Ursula Andress and falls in love for her . Later on , Arthur wishes to reverse the situation , it's why he has found the ideal couple , the gorgeous stripper Ursula Andress . So of course Belmondo does some international adventuring in order to get his purports. That Man from Río is up the Himalayas .. up the Yang-Tze .. up in a balloon .. up-stage with a Stripper...up-town in Hong Kong..you can't keep a great adventurer down !

A fun as well as extravagant comedy adventure full of turbulent action , fast paced and farcical events . It has a lot of stunts , in fact Belmondo himself did his own stunts . To compete the big boxoffice James Bond movies by the time, was made this picture that had a big hit , as well . A worthy companion piece to "That Man from Rio" also directed by Brocca and starred by Belmondo , both of them were the French highest films of the years 1964 and 1965 , respectively . Belmondo is pretty good as the young billionaire whose suicide attempts keep failing . Belmondo has a prestigious national and international career , playing all kinds of genres , outstanding in thrillers : "incorregible" , "Hunter Will Get You" , "Stravinsky", "Borsalino" , "Le Professional", "Sicilian Clan" , "Hold-up" , "Stuntwoman" , "Mississippi Mermaid" and Adventures : "Cartouche" , "Le Magnifique" , "Ace of Aces", "Happy Easter" , among others . Belmondo is ideally suited to his character , giving a very diverting and likeable acting , being well accompanied by the always gorgeous Ursula Andress , Jean Rochefort as his faithful butler , Jess Hahn, Darryl Cowl , Valerie Lagrange , Pacome , Valerie Inkjinoff , among others .

It contains colorful cinematogaphic with exotic locations from Katmandu, Nepal, Hong Kong , China Jama Masjid , Old Delhi , Red Fort , India . This engaging adventure spoof was professionally directed by Philippe de Brocca , though it has some shortcomings , flaws and disjoined scenes . He made nice films , most of them comedies , action and adventures , such as : "Cartouche", "The King of Hearts", "Oldest profession" , "Le Cavaleur" , " Dear Detective" , "Jupiter's thigh" , "The Green House" , "Louisiana" , being his best movie "Le Magnifique" . And his fetish actor was Jean Paul Belmondo .This film titled "Up to His Ears" was one of the best and most successful of its time , getting a great hit , thanks to sympathetic interpretations , gorgeous locations and big fun that make this one a joy to see .

This film was intended to be a bigger sequel that Man from Rio was lesser. The story is less logical and the adventure less subtle. The sequences are lost in grandeur and it is played in the absurd, almost like Monty Python. Several very good stunts nonetheless.

It's not boring and we find Ursula Andress, charming and intelligent. She is also part of the adventure.

Almost shot entirely on location, we can see a time capsule of very exotic places for us.

I liked certain adventurous moments and certain funny moments more than others. The weakest part of the film is the story which lacks credibility and which is played too much as a joke, I think.

Turbulent, fast-paced comedy adventure (one of the best of its time) about unhappy billionaire Belmondo, whose suicide attempts keep failing. When he hires some killers to do him in, he falls in love with beautiful Andress and wants to reverse the deal. Belmondo is ideally suited to this role, exotic locations and lots of stunts make this a joy to watch. A worthy companion piece to the Bond movies of that time. Based on a Jules Verne novel. Score by Georges Delerue. English title: UP TO HIS EARS.

...if you haven't seen it, seek it out... an absolute must! Text-book example of a fast pace... still unequalled in its mad-cap sequences

Jean-Paul Belmondo plays Arthur Lempereur in "Up to His Ears", a story loosely based on a Jules Verne story. It's a travelogue sort of adventure film...a bit like "Around the World in 80 Days" combined with a spy film.

When the story begins, Lempereur is suffering from a big case of ennui. He's rich and successful...and wants to die because life is boring--making him an unlikable jerk. He also has a history of trying to kill himself...and each time, inexplicably, he's just fine. However, shortly after learning he's lost his fortune, he decides to take an insurance policy against himself--leaving his fiancee and Mr. Goh rich upon his death. But he cannot commit suicide, as this will void the policy so he asks his friend, Mr. Goh, to kill him. While this makes almost no sense, what follows is far more non-sensical. Suddenly, only minutes later, Lempereur doesn't want to die and tries to get Goh to not fulfill the contract. Why? I have absolutely no idea...and I kept thinking that he's been trying to die for some time...why the sudden change of heart?! What follows is an around the globe series of adventures...with death following close behind and Lempereur and his manservant (Jean Rochefort) seeing many different lands in order to track down Goh.

When the plot of a film makes no sense, you start off the picture with a HUGE disadvantage! It's also a disadvantage if you find the main character unlikable...and that is certainly the case here, as he just seems like a very spoiled guy. Can the film manage to overcome these huge problems?

Asider from the nice scenery you see around the world, there isn't a lot I liked about the film apart from the nonsensical plot. The film is filled with low humor...pratfulls, slapstick and the like. I think kids would enjoy it more than most adults and I see this as an intereresting idea for a film as opposed to actually being an interesting film.

Mostly inane, disjointed production, not worth your time, except if you wish to see what in the mid-60s did inspire George Lucas and Spielberg at the inception of Indiana Jones. Dated, at best. Yes, it is filmed on location; yes, it might be a spoof of the then-budding Bond movies; yes, it is a tad above the weak French action movies of that time (as opposed to the French films noirs of the 50s, which were excellent) but thisis plodding at best, if not outright boring. Despite Andress' charm (and certainly not her "acting"!), and some stage presence by Belmondo,skip this one (unless you are a film or pop culture historian, with minute archival interests). See "The Man from Rio" instead; althoughit, too, is dated it moves much more smoothly and shows what made Belmondo famous (and also offers on-location shooting). Even with its film history relevance, a 3 out of 10 is still generous.

I saw this when it was shown recently on TCM, because I have enjoyed Jean Paul Belmondo's films, particularly "The Burglars". Also this film had supposedly provided some inspiration for the "Indiana Jones" films.

Belmondo is a playboy type, living on a ship, who is propelled into an adventure. There is no logical plot to speak of, just a continuous series of madcap events. Some incidents are entertaining, and others less so, but in any event the movie is best viewed with the brain set in neutral. The scenes involving a balloon and also the escapades on scaffolding are particularly amusing.

Inspiration maybe, but comparisons to "Indiana Jones" would seem to be superficial. This movie is more light hearted, and Belmondo is more of a bumbler than a fearless adventurer. There is a scene with a vine bridge across a canyon, which was also part of "Temple of Doom's" plot, but that aside there are no obvious similarities.

Ursula Andress however, appears on a beach in a white bikini very similar to the one she wore in "Dr. No".

In summary, this is not bad if you don't mind a scattered but creative plot. See this if you have the chance just for the experience. It's fun, but not quite for everyone.

K-Rating: 5/10

After the success of THAT MAN FROM RIO, director Philippe de Broca and star Jean-Paul Belmondo reteamed for this movie. Belmondo is a young man with a dimwitted fiancee and a predatory prospective mother-in-law. His saving grace is that he is a billionaire. On being told he is broke, he has friendly Chinese philosopher Valéry Inkijinoff arrange to kill him -- a two-million-dollar insurance payout will be split between the philosopher and his fiancee. However, on seeing Ursula Andress doing a striptease (without, alas, taking off any clothes; what's the point of watching French movies?), he regains his will to live, as any sensible man would.

It's based on one of Jules Vernes' voyages extraordinaires with almost all of it shot on location. In addition, the situations are very funny, in that frantic manner that the French farceurs did such a good job at. Unfortunately, while the situations are comic, only Miss Andress and Jean Rochefort as Belmondo's long-suffering valet show any comic sensibilities.

French audiences didn't seem to care. It was successful. De Broca was a good, commercial director who always knew what his audience wanted and gave it to them, even if it seems he didn't -- or perhaps couldn't -- give them more than they might expect.