Person
Jacques Besnard
Directing · 1929–2013 · Le Petit-Quevilly, Seine-Maritime, France
Biography
Jacques Besnard was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his contributions to French comedy cinema. He began his career in the mid-1950s, working as an assistant director under notable filmmakers such as Maurice Régamey, Yves Robert, and Alberto Lattuada. In 1962, Besnard became the first assistant director to André Hunebelle, collaborating on films like Les Mystères de Paris (1962) and the Fantômas series. He made his directorial debut with Le Grand Restaurant (1966), co-written with Louis de Funès, which became a significant box office success. Besnard continued to direct comedies throughout the 1970s, including Le Fou du labo 4 (1967) and La situation est grave... mais pas désespérée (1976). In the 1980s, he shifted his focus to television, directing various TV movies and series. Besnard's work is characterized by its humor and collaboration with prominent French actors.
Known for

Fantomas
Second Unit Director
La Belle Anglaise
Director

The Restaurant
Director

Rififi
Third Gambler (uncredited)

Fantomas Unleashed
Second Unit Director

Signed, Arsène Lupin
Second Assistant Director

The Mysteries of Paris
First Assistant Director

The Restroom Robbery
Director

Un petit grain de folie
Writer

The Antidote
Writer
Filmography
- 2005The AntidoteWriter
- 1997Un petit grain de folieWriter
- 1992Feu Adrien MusetDirector
- 1988La Belle AnglaiseDirector
- 1986Appelez-moi FouksDirector
- 1982Te marre pas... c'est pour rire !Director
- 1978Général... nous voilà...!Screenplay
- 1976Le Jour de gloireDirector
- 1976La situation est grave... mais pas désespéréeDirector
- 1976French UndressingDirector
- 1975The Restroom RobberyDirector
- 1973Big DealDirector
- 1967The Madman of Lab FourDirector
- 1967The LootersDirector
- 1966The RestaurantDirector
- 1965Fantomas UnleashedSecond Unit Director
- 1964FantomasSecond Unit Director
- 1964OSS 117: Panic in BangkokSecond Unit Director
- 1962The Mysteries of ParisFirst Assistant Director
- 1961First Taste of LoveTechnical Advisor
- 1959Signed, Arsène LupinSecond Assistant Director
- 1955RififiThird Gambler (uncredited)
- 1955Série noire
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