The 1964 French adventure that inspired Indiana Jones and conquered the global box office

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before the whip-cracking archaeologist hit the big screen, a French airman was already racing across continents to recover ancient treasures. This high-octane spoof of secret agent tropes became a massive cultural touchstone, influencing legendary directors and serving as a vital bridge between classic comic book adventures and modern blockbuster cinema.

Released in 1964, the adventure comedy L'Homme de Rio—known internationally as That Man from Rio—follows the frantic journey of Adrien Dufourquet, a soldier on leave who pursues kidnappers from Paris to the Amazon. The film, helmed by Philippe de Broca, was designed as a playful subversion of the burgeoning James Bond phenomenon. It achieved significant commercial success, drawing over 4.8 million viewers in France and ranking as the fifth highest-earning film of that year.

The production is notable for its direct lineage to the work of Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Much of the film’s narrative structure and specific sequences are adapted from The Adventures of Tintin. This connection has led scholars like Cédric Pérolini to identify the movie as a missing link between Hergé’s comics and the Indiana Jones franchise. Steven Spielberg reportedly watched the film nine times, and critics have pointed to shared motifs, such as a character stealing a car mid-repair, which appears in both the French film and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Beyond its influence, the film is celebrated for the physical performance of Jean-Paul Belmondo. Reviewers at the time noted his agility and resilience, comparing him favorably to silent-era stars like Harold Lloyd and Douglas Fairbanks. While the plot relies heavily on rapid-fire coincidences, contemporary and retrospective critics alike have praised its pacing and wit. The film’s legacy continues to grow, with a modern remake currently in development for Apple Original Films, featuring Sydney Sweeney in the lead role under the direction of Justin Lin.

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