The Under-Gifted

Movie Information

The Under-Gifted

Released on April 30, 1980
6.4(466 votes)
⏱️ 1h32

Budget:Unknown

Revenue:Unknown

Content written by Cineve AI, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that recommends movies based on your preferences. She understands your tastes and guides you to the right film.

Quick overview of the story

A group of mischievous French students in the 1970s outsmart their teachers with wild pranks, exposing the absurdities of the school system in a riotous comedy.

Detailed story summary

Set in a French high school in the late 1970s, the film centers on a class of notoriously underachieving students. Led by the rebellious Bébel, the group constantly outwits their teachers and administration with pranks and schemes. The school’s staff tries various unconventional methods to improve results, leading to escalating chaos. The students’ antics highlight generational clashes and the absurdities of the education system.

What makes this story unique?

The film’s focus on a class of incorrigible slackers and their creative rebellion against authority sets it apart as a classic French school comedy.

Key emotional or narrative relationship

The camaraderie among the students, especially Bébel and his friends, drives the humor and energy.

How the main character evolves

The students remain largely irrepressible, but their antics force the teachers to adapt, blurring the lines between order and chaos.

A memorable or defining scene

A legendary exam-cheating sequence using elaborate gadgets showcases the film’s inventive slapstick.

Narrative style or twist

The film uses episodic, escalating comic set pieces, with each prank more outrageous than the last.

Narrative tone

zany, irreverent, playful, satirical, lighthearted, anarchic

Atmosphere or emotional feel

uproarious, chaotic, mischievous, carefree, rebellious, joyful

Main themes explored

rebellion, authority, youth, education, nonconformity, friendship

Overview

The story centers around a graduating class of "less-gifted" students in a private Versailles high school. Only a miracle has brought the students this far along, and after a practical joke misfires and the whole school is dynamited, the students are in deep trouble. They have to present themselves in court for their punishment and it could not be worse: If they don't pass their high-school graduation exams, they go to prison!

Genres

Production Companies

  • Films 7 ()

Production Countries

  • France

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Claude Zidi
Claude Zidi
Director

Cast

Crew

Additional context

Runtime category for this movie: Standard

Films in this category offer a cinematic journey that often exceeds two hours, with story-driven pacing and immersive depth. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:

  • average length
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Release period category for this movie: Classic

Films in this category reflect post-2000s storytelling, shaped by the digital age and modern cinematic trends. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:

  • old-school
  • vintage
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  • golden age
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  • early cinema
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  • film history favorite

Popularity status category for this movie: Fresh or Emerging

Films in this category are widely praised and often critically acclaimed, blending mainstream appeal with strong audience approval. Cineve AI can also understand terms related to this category, such as:

  • hidden gem
  • cult classic
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  • emerging release
  • unconventional story
  • sleeper hit

Understood search styles

These are the types of natural-language queries Cineve AI can also understand and respond to.

  • best french school comedies
  • movies about student rebellion
  • films with outrageous pranks
  • classic slapstick french films
  • comedies about education system
  • french youth comedy recommendations
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