Director of 'Gendarme de Saint Tropez' Dies Aged 93
Richard Balducci, the French creator & director of the cult film, has died
Born in Paris in 1929, Richard Balducci was best known for his roll in creating the saga of films about the Gendarmes of Saint Tropez.
Originally working as a War correspondent, Balducci then went on to work alongside French film directors such as Roger Vadim, Christian Jaque, Jacques Demy, Philip Broca, François Truffaut and Jacques Becker.
The idea for the famous Gendarme de Saint Tropez came after he was on location in the town of Saint Tropez. His camera was stolen from inside his car and he went to report the theft to the local police.
"It was noon. Upon arrival, I found a policeman sitting astride. With great difficulty, he got up to take my complaint and told me he knew my thief and had missed catching him by 5 meters, a few days earlier. I talked to De Funès and he said "Let's make a movie. This is a very good starting movie!'" - Richard Balducci speaking in the documentary 'Louis de Funès et les Gendarmes'.
The first film in the popular saga, "Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez", was released on September 9, 1964. The last film was released in 1982. Today they remain an important part of French humour and have influenced French culture. In fact, people still arrive in Saint Tropez even today, looking for the famous gendarmerie!
Richard Balducci died on Tuesday 8th December at the age of 93.
