I saw "Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?" in its original run in U.S. theaters. I was nine years old, but my mother used to drag me to any movie she wanted to see whether it was "child-friendly" or not. I loved this movie then and have enjoyed every repeat viewing since. It's a stylish, frothy romantic comedy with a little bit of murder mystery (nothing that will tax your brain), sumptuous gourmet meals and elegant locales, and bitingly witty dialogue --mostly from the incredibly funny Robert Morley. The film revolves around two ex-spouses: world-renowed pastry chef Natasha (Bisset) and crass, wealthy fast food tycoon Robby (Segal), who re-unite to try to solve the caper when top chefs are knocked off around the capitals of Europe. They travel from London to Venice to Paris and back again, encountering an array of melodramatic, egotistical and hilarious chefs along the way, played by well-known European character actors (Philippe Noiret, Jean-Pierre Cassel, etc.). Bisset's clothes, designed by Donfeld, don't date very well, but it was the '70s. She's supposed to be quirky. She looks gorgeous nonetheless. The lighting in this film is perfume-ad soft. Some of the scenes where the chefs, especially Bisset, prepare their specialties make you want to jump through the screen. At nine, I never knew food could look like that! This movie is a few decades old, but retains its glamour and wit. Look for a very young Nigel Havers in a minor part early on.

The mystery is the thing.Some of the greatest Chef's of England and the Continent are being murdered all around and no one knows why. But everyone certainly knows how for all of them, whoops, wont tell more don't want to spoil any second of this movie. But yep this is a real serious murder mystery alright! The fun is in the timing, these are some of the best actors of the times. Finest of their times to be honest. Whether handsome, beautiful or ugly, that is immaterial. They are all consummate actors, ACTING and creating the characters we either grow to love, hate, loath or find funny as hell. BUT no matter how we react to them, they do what great actors do, they make the viewers really believe in them.The comedy and the black humor are a mix of Keystone Cops and Burns and Alan craziness. Take it for the fun it is and enjoy the movie with friends. A party is in order for this one, good wine, cheeses, fancy deserts and a little sinister fun.

I dimly remembered this culinary comedy from the late 70s withoutmuch affection, until a friend decided to bring along a video to beshown after a Thanksgiving dinner last year. It's a great idea. Stuffyourself and then take a movie break before dessert. Nothing tooheavy--preferably something light and frothy. I'm glad we did. Thisis an adorable movie, and I don't know why it didn't strike me thatway the first time around.Maybe it was the horrible and dated costumes designed forJacqueline Bissett. How does one take one of the most beautifulwomen in the world, and tart her up in the most ridiculousfur/leather thingies. She looks like a cheap Vegas dancer here. George Segal doesn't escape either, wearing jeans looking like hewas poured into them and cowboy hats, he looks like the sweetJewish boy he is, playing in Daddy's clothing. The heart of the movie is the wonderful Robert Morely, who plays agleefully glutinous gourmand and food editor who between bitesinsults just about anyone coming towards him. Only JacquelineBissett manages to escape his wrathful tongue. I'm notcomplaining. Morely is a total delight as the misanthropicepicurian monster. The mystery isn't much of a mystery, and the chemistry betweenBissett and Segal doesn't appear to be setting off many sparks. But you can waste your time on far worse things than this modestdelight, filmed all over Europe. The food looks great, and oh thatnasty Morely!

This is one of those rare comedies that doesn't become dated and stale over time. The European air of this film keeps the pacing smooth and interesting and fortunately George Segal doesn't try to take over the picture. Robert Morley is fantastic in a tour de force performance as the world's largest and greatest food snob-a total snot who lives very moment filled with food, dry wit and sarcasm. The food looks great and one should definitely have snacks handy when indulging in this fine film. As for the whodunit? When the killer was finally revealed I had guessed wrong and enjoyed every moment. I should note that this fine comedy can often be difficult to locate for viewing in the USA and I have never seen a sharp DVD print -- still this film will make you smile and laugh and is well worth seeking out.