The Hunchback of Paris

The Hunchback of Paris (Le Bossu, 1959) is André Hunebelle's swashbuckler, and you can watch it online on iFILM. Jean Marais plays the Chevalier de Lagardère, the finest blade in the France of Louis XIV, with Bourvil as his loyal sidekick.

Duke Philippe de Nevers is murdered by his own people, on the orders of his jealous cousin de Gonzague. Lagardère manages to save only the duke's infant daughter, Aurore. He raises her for fifteen years in the Spanish back country, then comes back to Paris to settle the score. His trick is bold: he straps on a hunchback's hump and works his way into the nobles' favour, since a hunchback is said to bring luck. Under that disguise he picks off the killers one by one, closing in on the man at the top.

Adapted from Paul Féval's novel, it's old-fashioned adventure with no grey areas — a noble hero, a vile villain, rooftop chases and clashing swords. Half the fun is the Marais-Bourvil double act: one does the fighting, the other the laughs. Perfect if you want honest cape-and-sword cinema of the old school. Stream The Hunchback of Paris (1959) online on iFILM.