That Man from Rio

That Man from Rio

Year: 1964

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: French

Director: Philippe de Broca

ActionComedyAdventureEpic heroesAction comedy and silly heroics

When French soldier Adrien Dufourquet takes an eight‑day leave to see his fiancée Agnès, he learns that her late father’s colleague, museum curator Professor Catalan, has been kidnapped by Amazon tribesmen who have also stolen a priceless statue. Adrien and Agnès pursue the kidnappers to Brazil, where they discover the statue is the key to a hidden Amazonian treasure.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – That Man from Rio (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of That Man from Rio (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The narrative unfolds in the mid-1960s, an era known for stylish espionage adventures and fast-paced capers. The plot uses contemporary technology and fashion cues to evoke a sense of international intrigue as the characters race across cities and jungles.

Location

Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Amazon rainforest, Floating jungle cafe

The story begins in Paris, where Adrien is on eight days of leave. It then moves to Rio de Janeiro, a city of bright lights and crime that serves as the first backdrop for the chase. The journey extends inland to Brasília and the Amazon, including a floating jungle cafe where Lola runs her operation, highlighting the film's globe-trotting setting and exotic locations.

🗼 Paris 🌆 Rio de Janeiro 🏛️ Brasília 🌳 Amazon rainforest 🚤 Floating jungle cafe

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

Main Characters – That Man from Rio (1964)

Meet the key characters of That Man from Rio (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Adrien Dufourquet (Jean-Paul Belmondo)

An audacious airman on eight days of leave in Paris, Adrien is quick-thinking, fearless, and adept at improvisation. He dives headlong into danger to rescue Agnès, driven by loyalty and a can-do spirit that keeps the chase alive.

🧭 Courageous 🏃‍♂️ Resourceful 🎯 Impulsive

Agnès Villermosa (Françoise Dorléac)

Agnès is Adrien's fiancée and a key connection to her father's expedition. She becomes a captive whose fate drives Adrien's quest, displaying resilience even when drugged or threatened by the criminals.

❤️ Romantic lead 🧭 Mysterious 🗝️ Key asset

Prof. Norbert Catalan (Jean Servais)

The curator who masterminds the museum theft and seeks the treasure for personal gain. He is calculating, cultured, and willing to murder to preserve the statuette's secret. His betrayal exposes the greed at the heart of the plot.

🧠 Cunning 💰 Greedy 🗡️ Murderous

Lola (Simone Renant)

A glamorous operator who funds Catalan's scheme and runs a floating jungle cafe. She embodies the film's seductive, dangerous edge and serves as a bridge between the criminal underworld and the protagonists.

💃 Charismatic 🕳️ Manipulative 🛟 Resourceful

Sir Winston (Ubiracy de Oliveira)

A Brazilian bootblack who aids Adrien, offering street-level wisdom and support. His companionship highlights the film's spirit of improvisational teamwork and cross-cultural camaraderie.

🤝 Helpful 🧭 Grounded 🗣️ Local

Senor Mario De Castro (Adolfo Celi)

A wealthy industrialist with possession of the third statuette. He hosts a celebratory party that becomes a turning point in the pursuit, representing the intersection of wealth and risk in the treasure hunt.

🏛️ Wealthy 🕴️ Power broker 🗺️ Negotiator

Commissaire (Daniel Ceccaldi)

A police official who becomes entangled in the chase as Adrien navigates international intrigue. His presence marks the formal response to the crime and adds tension to the pursuit.

🚓 Official 🔎 Investigative 🧩 Bureaucratic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

Major Themes – That Man from Rio (1964)

Explore the central themes of That Man from Rio (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Treasure Hunt

Three statuettes are said to guard the secret to an Amazonian treasure. The pursuit across museums, airports, and remote rivers becomes a high-stakes race driven by greed and the allure of wealth. The quest pulls Adrien, Agnès, and Catalan into increasingly dangerous gambits as they try to outwit rivals.

🎯 Pursuit and Escape

The film is built on a relentless chase, from a stolen plane to a race across Brasília's skyline and a daring cable crossing between skyscrapers. Adrien uses quick wits and daring stunts to stay ahead of those who want the statuettes for themselves. The pursuit stretches the limits of endurance, light on moral boundaries.

🗡️ Betrayal

Catalan's duplicity comes to light as he murders Agnès' father and betrays those who trust him. The hunt for the treasure becomes as much about personal vengeance as it is about wealth. Loyalties blur as allies and enemies switch sides around the coveted statuettes.

💘 Romance and Alliance

Adrien and Agnès navigate danger together, their budding romance fueling their determination to reclaim what was stolen. Their relationship anchors the thriller amid breakneck action and clever improvisation. The pair's bond provides moments of tenderness amidst the chaos.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

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That Man from Rio Summary

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That Man from Rio Summary

That Man from Rio Timeline

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That Man from Rio Timeline

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