The Big Store

The Big Store (Le Grand Bazar, 1973) is a French slapstick comedy from Claude Zidi, ready to watch online on iFILM. Four loud goofballs from the singing comedy troupe Les Charlots work for Émile, a small grocer whose business is sinking — because a giant supermarket just opened across the street.

With the corner shop being crushed by the chain store, bankruptcy looms, so the gang declares all-out war on the supermarket: sabotage, disguises and pure chaos rolling through every aisle from canned goods to fitting rooms. They respect no authority and have no fear of looking ridiculous. French comedy heavyweights Michel Galabru and Michel Serrault join the mayhem, while Candice Patou supplies the romance.

Zidi shot this just as supermarkets were starting to swallow up family-run shops, so the clowning aims straight at a real sore spot. It's broad, noisy and built for laughs rather than lessons — easy fuel for a lazy evening. Stream The Big Store (1973) online on iFILM.