OSS 117: Le Caire Nid d'Espions (OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies) poster & wallpaper
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Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, Aure Atika, Philippe Lefebvre, Constantin Alexandrov ... see more see more... , Said Amadis , Laurent Bateau , Claude Brosset , François Damiens , Youssef Hamid , Khalid Maadour , Arsene Mosca , Abdallah Moundy , Eric Prat , Richard Sammel , Michael Hofland , Jean François Halin

OSS 117: Cairo -- Nest of Spies constitutes the eighth installment in a long-running series of movies about OSS 117 (the government code name for Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath) -- a French super-spy and... read more read more... European equivalent of James Bond. The creation of author Jean Bruce, OSS eventually starred in over 265 novels and seven cinematizations through 1970. The first seven film outings were sober and straight-faced; the eighth go-round (the first after a 38-year lapse) does a 180 to shamelessly poke fun of the rules established by the genre. A glib yet intelligent spoof, it joins the ranks of Our Man Flint (1965), Aghaye Hallou (1970), Mad Mission 3: Our Man from Bond Street (1984), and other international pictures that glibly satirize the subgenre made infamous to Americans by Bond; like Mad Mission 3, it even packs in an OSS 117 (Jean Dujardin) with a startling resemblance to Sean Connery. The film's comic conceit involves making OSS 117 arrogant, conceited, culturally insensitive, chauvinistic, and thoroughly moronic (he pretends that various cultural institutions and religious practices, for instance, are nonexistent if he is unfamiliar with them); yet the character somehow manages to slide through outrageously dangerous situations unscathed, time and again. The teaser prologue finds OSS 117 in Berlin, where he outwits the Nazis by stealing vital documents from them, hijacks an Axis plane in mid-nosedive, and saves himself and the craft at the last yawning moment. Ten years later, he journeys from Rome to Cairo, where he investigates the death of a fellow agent, posing as the proprietor of a chicken farm. His "side" activities during this jaunt involve hammering out a peace arrangement for the Middle East, keeping tabs on the Suez Canal, and monitoring the Russians. Jean-François Halin scripted the film, maintaining an utterly deadpan tone throughout; Michel Hazanavicius directed. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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73% liked it

6,628 ratings

Critics

76% liked it

58 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius

Release Date: May 9, 2008

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DVD Release Date: November 7, 2006

Stats: 649 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (649)

  • FrizzDrop
    May 6, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    The first of the new OSS 117 films, this was the first ever collaboration between Michel Hazanivicius, his wife Berenice Bejo, and the impressive star, studly Jean Dujardin. Though I did like the second of these films better, there is such an amazing style, energy and creative bl... read moreend to this film. The scenery, the look of this film is pointedly OSS original, taking something from the old spy series from the sixties and also being something new and beautiful. The lead character is sexist, egotistical, and stupid (not ignorant. That's forgivable.) While most parody spy films have the bumbling lead given understanding, OSS is shot at, kidnapped, and shown no mercy, even in the face of his romantic lead, portrayed by the gorgeous Berenice Bejo. I loved the myriad of plot, the humor, the music, the picturesque views that are oh so clean and bright. It looks and feels like the Brits' James Bond films while having the suave texture and feel of the French cinema, and the humor of a Steve Martin film from the seventies, almost fitting with the time period of this film. In short, the plot wavers between interesting and insanely confusing, if only because I do not have the attention span to look between Jean Dujardin being the goofy lead and the villain putting on a sneer while delivering his seminal evil genius speech. Really, it's again Dujardin who steals the show from the wiley temptresses and the melodramatic Nazis. It's his toothy grin and duplicitous insults that make this film into a very lewd comedy, though he does spar with Bejo a number of times, and seems reverent of his co-stars with maturity and childlike wonder. I look forward to more collaborations between Hazanavicius and Dujardin, as they have now made at least three films together, all of which I have found light and captivating. Hopefully Dujardin will have a sprawling career as the comedic relief, stupid and charming all at once.
  • RossCollinsUK
    April 12, 2012
    RossCollinsUK
    Marvellous. Who knew the French had a sense of humour? Daniel Craig eat your heart out. Keeps getting better every time I watch it - a sign of a true classic. A fantastic piece of historical satire with a charismatic lead - à votre service!
  • blacksheepboy
    January 28, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    A clever, witty spoof on spy movies that perfectly recreates the looks of the Cinema in the late '50s, mainly the special effects. Dujardin is hilarious as the stupid, condescending French spy of the title, in a film that smartly plays with the conventions of the genre.
  • RCCLBC
    January 3, 2011
    RCCLBC
    Very ammusing spy parody. A sort of homage to 007. "Mad Men" meets "Austin Powers" meets "The Pink Panther", without the potty humor, slap-stick and goofy site gags.

    This was released in 2006, but the attention to detail is so amazing, you'll swear your watching a film from ... read morethe 1950's-60's. Great sets, costumes etc.

    The cast is perfect and Jean Dujardin is impeccable as French super agent OSS 117, the perfect mix a sauve, sexy, nerdy, naive, clever and often inappropriate, but always charming. And he does what is quite possibly the best Sean Connery impersenation I have ever seen (without having to resort to "doing the voice" as most people do).

    An enjoyable little romp. I look forward to his next adventure in Rio!
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    December 20, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    Suprisingly really funny. B
  • gor41
    December 4, 2010
    gor41
    Lovingly crafted French homage to Sean Connery era Bond crossed with Pink Panther (and more worringly Mr Bean). Sharp 50's detail and committed deadpan delivery increase its charm. Unusual treat.
  • SirPant
    November 29, 2010
    SirPant
    This is a spoof of the old 1950s/1960s OSS 117. It's fair to compare it to the original Casino Royale and the Pink Panther series but 'Cairo, Nest of Spies' is much more subtle and all the better for it. Michel Hazanavicius's direction is good and the supporting cast are all very... read more capable but it's Jean Dujardin who really steals the show. He has truly mastered the art of physical comedy and I think he's an actor to look out for. Although OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies doesn't always hit the mark, when it is funny, it's very funny! Please don't be put off by the subtitles!
  • bbcfloridabound
    June 30, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    One of the best Eurospy Films I have seen. A cross between James Bond and Pink Panther, guess you could say a Spaghetti Spy Film. A 5 star film, this has action, drama, and comedy mixed in it. I look forward to many more OSS 117 Films. Jean Dujardin plays Agent OSS 117 and does... read more an excellent job. Really enjoyed when he was part of the band playing the oud. If you like the Spy Films of the 1960-1980 time frame you will get a kick out of this. On the Funny Scale its a 10 out of 10. Trust me on this one you will not be sorry. 5 Stars
  • moviewaffle
    January 29, 2012
    moviewaffle
    Before "The Artist" made him the current critic's darling, Michel Hazanavicius made this fun homage to the spy movies of the sixties. As with his latest work this looks just like it was shot in the period it references. "Austin Powers" fans should avoid, the jokes are far too eso... read moreteric and referential for mainstream audiences. The running time could be pruned a bit but it's an enjoyable diversion.
  • gator681
    May 19, 2008
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]In "OSS 117: Cairo - Nest of Spies," it is 1955 and Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath(Jean Dujardin), aka secret agent OSS 117(Not his IQ, trust me. That's much lower.), intercepts an envelope from Princess Al Tarouk(Aure Atrika), the niece of the deposed King Fa... read morerouk of Egypt. The envelope contains a photo of Hubert's close friend and former partner, Jack Jefferson(Philippe Lefebvre) lying dead, having been murdered. Hubert is assigned the case to work undercover in Cairo to find Jack's killer, a missing Russian freighter and if he has any spare time left bring peace to the Middle East. His contact there is Jack's former secretary, Larmina El Akmar Betouche(Berenice Bejo), whose father was killed while playing paddleball...[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"OSS 117: Cairo - Nest of Spies" is an enjoyable and funny spoof with some truly memorable bits, most of which involve chickens. But since these chickens may be symbolic, the movie has more on its mind than just being a generic parody(I know satires can be political but can a parody?) of a Cold War spy thriller about a steel-jawed hero with a beautiful woman under each arm. But where this film differs is in reversing the politics of those old movies by intentionally making the hero an insensitive and ignorant clod. To be perfectly honest, Hubert is not totally useless, nor is he totally incompetent. But he prefers his fists to using his mind.(Sound familiar anyone?) In the end, actions have repercussions, especially in the events surrounding the Suez Crisis, with so much at stake, not only for the western powers, but also for the rapidly growing nationalism in Egypt.[/font]

View All OSS 117: Le Caire Nid d'Espions (OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Joshua Katzman
December 17, 2008
Joshua Katzman, Chicago Reader

This French comedy fondly lampoons both the popular French spy movies adapted from Jean Bruce's novels in the 1950s and '60s and the colonialist era they were set in. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
October 23, 2008
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

I have never been a particular admirer of either James Bond or Austin Powers, and could hardly be expected to be overjoyed by a 'cross between them.' Hence, I was hardly surprised when I didn't crack ... Full Review

Richard Nilsen
August 21, 2008
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic

A lame comedy with a few decent laughs and several yawn-spawning set pieces that don't really go anywhere. Full Review

Roger Ebert
June 27, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The French-made movie travels familiar ground, with a nod as well to Airplane!, Top Secret and that whole genre. Even compared to them, it pushes things just a little -- not too far, but toward the lo... Full Review

Sid Smith
June 26, 2008
Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune

French cinema's reputation for subtlety goes up in smoke with OSS 117: Cairo Nest of Spies, a movie whose satire proves as lame as its clunky title. Full Review

Colin Covert
May 23, 2008
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

A witty French espionage comedy that affectionately spoofs 1970s Eurospy thrillers. Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
May 16, 2008
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

Given that this is a French film, there's an unmistakable edge to its satirical portrayal of postwar East-West relations. Full Review

Wesley Morris
May 16, 2008
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Directed and co-written by Michel Hazanavicius and starring the French comedian Jean Dujardin as OSS 117, the movie is a sketch stretched to tedious feature length. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
May 9, 2008
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath is invincibly smug, occasionally smarmy and obsessed with food. If that whets your appetite, he's your homme. Full Review

Walter V. Addiego
May 9, 2008
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle

Dujardin nails his character, who is deeply dense but always seems to draw the winning card, mainly through dumb luck. And Hazanavicius clearly knows the '60s-era Bond films, which are full of ripe ta... Full Review

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