Die Besucher

Wir leben von dieser Komödie auf allen mittelalterlichen Veranstaltungen, die ich besuche. Völlig verrückter und fäkaler Humor voller unangenehmer Whiffs, Anus und ausgeschiedener Flüssigkeiten, Christian Clavier als ekelhafter Diener Jacquouille, Jean Reno als edler Ritter de Montmirail und ein frontaler Zusammenstoß des Mittelalters mit der Gegenwart. Eine verrückte Komödie, wie sie sein sollte, abgedreht, entspannend,... Eine der besten Komödien, die ich je gesehen habe. Man kann ihr vorwerfen, bodenständig zu sein, aber zur Hölle, lesen Sie "Mastičkář“ oder "Rabelais“, und Sie werden feststellen, dass zwei mittelalterliche Typen in der heutigen Zeit genau das tun würden, was Die Besucher vorschlagen... (31.01.2004)

Für mich die unterhaltsamste Komödie ever. Auch beim achten Mal habe ich die ganze Zeit – 100 Minuten – vor Lachen geweint. Wegen des Lachens hatte ich auch Bauchschmerzen. Jean Reno und Christian Clavier als rüpelhafte Waffenknechte in unserer hektischen Zeit und alle Figuren, die sie treffen, sind herrlich. Ihr Verhalten, das auf eine typisch französische, schnelle und verrückte Art und Weise dargestellt wird, und die verrückten Kamerawinkel haben mich beeindruckt. Die meisten französischen Komödien haben ein gleiches Konzept wie dieser Film. Die Besucher finde ich aber außergewöhnlich und perfekt. Auch dank der tollen Musik, des netten Fantasy-Feelings und der Idee des Films, die im Hinblick auf das Genre überraschend reichhaltig ist. (09.01.2003)

This plot clearly encourages a confrontation between the old and the new, the rules that existed nine hundred years ago are completely different from the ones that are in place now. And the film takes full advantage of that. It's been a long time since I've had the feeling that something is constantly happening in a comedy, but this is a movie that really doesn't stop. The characters' behavior is sometimes absurd, but it adds to the film's pace. The film is not full of jokes that completely ground you, but when you think about them, you have to admit that the French really have a great sense of humor, and they got a lot out of this plot, maybe even the most they could. I didn't believe in this movie, but it convinced me that it's really worth it and I enjoyed it. However, "The Visitors" has such an energy that it keeps you constantly on edge without wanting to leave the film. This is an attribute that most comedies nowadays lack. When, for example, I compare it to the movie "The Intouchables", we are completely somewhere else. "The Visitors" can entertain and their story, even though it doesn't burden itself with causality and time paradox, still works, is original, and manages to captivate. I didn't think I would be recommending this film on a large scale, but I really am. It's still worth it after twenty years. (19.11.2013)

A crazy comedy with an original and excellently crafted premise. The central duo Clavier-Reno, who were given the most turbulent look by the make-up artists, deliver unforgettable acting creations throughout and the story as a whole is conducted at an incredible pace. I didn't have nearly as much fun as I did with, for example, Shut Up!, and there are a few weak scenes, but just for the idea, the great actors and the completely different view of the contemporary world that this film offers, 4* is a must. (14.07.2011)

Generally, I tend more toward an intellectually oriented and poetic style of humor, which is the exact opposite of what this film offers. It has humor in the style of classic popular farce, quite coarse and occasionally clearly balancing on the edge of general good taste. Paradoxically, however, this is for a number of reasons, whether it is the interesting and functional cast led by Jean Reno, who, by the way, suits his role of a medieval knight more than the stereotypical characters of impervious killers and uncompromising tough cops, through his lowly primitive servant to a bunch of supporting characters or a funny plot with a lot of functional comedic elements. At the time of its release, I was satisfied and gave it four strong stars, but today, my excitement has waned. However, I am still giving it four stars for being the peak of a certain comedic style that, in its more average form, eludes me and sometimes even repels me. Overall impression: 75%. (31.07.2011)