The Visitors (1993) | Les Visiteurs

A brutish 11th Century medieval lord and his lowly peasant squire are magically transported to France of today. Here, they meet one of the lord’s descendants, and enlists her help in trying to find a way back home. Things are easier said than done when they discover that coping in the new world is no small task.

Perhaps it’s been done countless times before, where time travel and the inability to understand the small things we take for granted lead up to hilarity, but by and large LES VISITEURS (THE VISITORS) succeeds in delivering the farcical goods. Clavier in a double role as both the peasant and one of his smug descendants steals the show, while Reno is his usual excellent self as the medieval lord who is sickened that feudal France is no longer. The film does have some bad moments, mostly the beginning and end, but the parts in between where the two are adjusting to 20th Century living makes the movie fun. Don’t expect anything fresh, just watch and laugh.

Qwipster’s rating: A-

MPAA Rated: R for language
Running Time: 107 min.

Cast: Jean Reno, Christian Clavier, Valerie Lemercier, Marie-Anne Chazel 
Director: Jean-Marie Poire
Screenplay: Christian Clavier, Jean-Marie Poire