Aghion's adaptation of Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt's play is a costume romp in the French farce tradition. Apparently, the 18th-century encyclopedist, Denis Diderot (Perez), was more interested in pleasure than philosophy. So, while a conservative cardinal (Serrault) sought to confiscate his illegal printing press, Diderot was desperately trying to diddle a handsome society artist (Ardant).
Considering the wit of the principal characters, the script is lamentably short of bon mots. However, there are a couple of belly-laugh set-pieces, the crudest being Perez's naked pursuit of his suspicious wife around the grounds of a glorious chateau, as eccentric guests look on. Yet for all the Carry On enthusiasm, only the playing of Serrault and Josiane Balasko approaches pantomimic perfection.