The film follows Victor Garnier (de Funès), a humble owner of a hunting and fishing shop who naively invests his family's life savings in an African mine on the recommendation of his neighbor, a crooked bank manager. When the investment collapses, a ruined Victor decides the only fair way to get his money back is to rob the bank next door.
" Let's Rob the Bank " (original French title: Faites sauter la banque! ) is a 1964 heist comedy directed by Jean Girault, notable as a pivotal moment in the career of French comedy legend . The Plot: A Family Affair Let's Rob the Bank (1964)
While de Funès had appeared in dozens of films by 1964, Let's Rob the Bank marked one of his first leading roles where he established his trademark "grouchy yet charismatic" persona. It also began a long and successful collaboration with director , who would go on to direct him in the iconic Gendarme series. Critics often note that de Funès' high-energy performance and over-the-top expressions carry the film, even when the plot relies on "old-timer buffoonery". Cast and Reception The film follows Victor Garnier (de Funès), a
: The original title is a play on words; while "faites sauter la banque" typically means "breaking the bank" at a casino, the film takes it literally as an actual physical heist. A Career Turning Point ) is a 1964 heist comedy directed by
The comedy stems from Victor enlisting his entire family—his wife, son, and two daughters—to help him dig a tunnel from their basement to the bank's vault. The operation is plagued by absurd setbacks, including: