Directed by Jalil Lespert, Le Dindon is a lively French comedy inspired by the iconic play by Georges Feydeau. Released in theaters in September 2019, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Dany Boon, Guillaume Gallienne, Alice Pol, Ahmed Sylla, Laure Calamy, and Camille Lellouche. This cinematic adaptation, set in the 1960s, will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting January 18, 2026, according to the platform’s announcement.
In this adaptation, Jalil Lespert deliberately shifts the story away from Late 19th-century Paris to set the plot in the early 1960s. This choice is driven by the similarities in social and moral codes between the two eras—both characterized by a bourgeoisie firmly rooted in convention—despite the emerging shifts in romantic relationships and power dynamics. The director thus traces a line through the tradition of French comedies that blossomed in the post-war years, while still preserving the sharp, orchestrated pace of Feydeau’s classic farce.
Mr. de Pontagnac, played by Guillaume Gallienne, finds himself at the center of this comedic farce about marriage. The actor is intimately familiar with the character, having portrayed him more than 150 times on stage at the Comédie-Française, in a production directed by Lukas Hemleb. This deep familiarity informs a performance crafted specifically for the screen, enhanced by a collaborative writing process with Jalil Lespert and screenwriter Fadette Drouard.
Mr. de Pontagnac is captivated by a young woman he happens to meet by chance. What he doesn’t initially realize is that this woman is none other than Victoire, the wife of his friend Vatelin. While her husband seems surprisingly indifferent to the situation, Victoire’s reaction proves to be far from compliant. Amid this tangled love triangle, a web of deception unfolds, turning fidelity into both a topic of discussion and a tool of manipulation.
The introduction of new characters, including Rediop, Victory’s admitted admirer, and Suzy, Vatelin’s former mistress, adds further layers of complexity to the relationships between them. In this seemingly refined society, pretense and false appearances pile up, leading to a series of situations where everyone is trying to maintain the facade while pursuing their own agendas.
Written by Jalil Lespert, Guillaume Gallienne, and Fadette Drouard, the screenplay aims to streamline Feydeau's original plot while making it more approachable for today’s audiences. Filming took place starting August 29, 2018, over roughly seven weeks. The decision to adopt a '60s aesthetic invites the film to evoke the spirit of classic French comedies popularized by Bourvil and Louis de Funès—homages openly acknowledged by the director.
The film also features adjustments that reflect modern sensibilities. While keeping Feydeau’s sharp wit intact, the adaptation puts a greater emphasis on the dynamics between men and women, showcasing male characters that are often depicted as foolish or out of touch, while highlighting the independence and clarity of the female characters.
Le Dindon falls squarely into the genre of social comedy and vaudeville, featuring a lively pace and a cast of characters caught up in a web of misunderstandings. The film appeals both to fans of classic French comedies and to viewers eager to rediscover Feydeau through a contemporary reinterpretation, in the spirit of works like Oscar or Pouic-Pouic.
The Turkey Film | 2019
Release in theaters: September 25, 2019
Available on Prime Video on January 18, 2026
Comedy | Runtime: 1h25
Directed by Jalil Lespert | Starring Dany Boon, Guillaume Gallienne, Alice Pol, Ahmed Sylla, Laure Calamy, Camille Lellouche
Country: France
With this adaptation, Jalil Lespert offers a modern take on a classic piece of French theater, preserving Feydeau’s sharp comedic timing while framing it within a familiar cinematic universe. By making the film available on Prime Video, viewers now have the opportunity to revisit this comedy at home, extending its reach beyond the traditional theater or cinema experience.
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