AllMovie

Based on a story by one of France's favorite satirists, Georges Courteline, this is the second time a director has taken on the tale of bureaucracy gone mad. The first version was a 1937 film by Yves Mirande, this 1959 remake is by Henri Diamant-Berger. The story is set at the turn of the 20th century and focuses on the life and times of one government worker in one of the many Civil Service offices that dot the national map. A misunderstanding arises that sets up a series of unpredictable circumstances, all bringing down the bureaucracy to the level of the absurd. A bit old-fashioned and talky, this film would not necessarily amuse all audiences.