[Citroëns at the cinema] The Citroën DS: the story of Fantômas' flying goddess

In our ongoing exploration of Citroën in Cinema, after shedding light on the iconic BX from L'Opération Corned Beef and the charming Type H from Louis la Brocante, today we turn our attention to a true star of the silver screen: the Citroën DS. This legendary car, which has graced numerous cinematic works, found a new way to impress audiences with the Fantômas film series, etching its mark into the collective imagination.

The DS and the Fantômas trilogy: a mythical alliance

The Citroën DS, launched in 1955, is far more than just an automobile; it is a feat of engineering and design, symbolizing innovation and avant-garde thinking. Its futuristic aesthetic, revolutionary hydropneumatic suspension, and unparalleled comfort quickly propelled it to icon status. It was against this backdrop of general admiration that the DS was chosen to accompany the adventures of the criminal genius, Fantômas, in the celebrated French film trilogy of the 1960s.

Directed by André Hunebelle, this series features Inspector Juve (Louis de Funès), journalist Fandor (Jean Marais), and his fiancée Hélène (Mylène Demongeot) in their relentless pursuit of Fantômas (also Jean Marais), an elusive masked criminal with multiple identities. The DS, with its fluid lines and aura of sophistication, appeared to be the ideal vehicle for the thrilling car chases and spectacular escapes. In these films, the DS is not just a mode of transport; it is a character in its own right, almost an extension of both antagonists and protagonists. It is portrayed as a fast, reliable, and elegant car, capable of feats that few vehicles of the era could match, thereby reinforcing the extraordinary nature of the situations. Its constant presence and on-screen performances significantly contributed to solidifying its status as a cult car among the general public, well beyond enthusiast circles.

The flying DS: when the myth takes flight

Without a doubt, it is the emblematic scene of the flying DS in the film Fantômas se déchaîne (1965) that left the greatest impression and contributed most to mythifying the Citroën DS. This sequence, where Fantômas's DS deploys retractable wings and literally takes flight to escape its pursuers, has become an anthology moment in French cinema. Far from being a simple script fantasy, this audacious transformation of the DS demonstrated how much the imagination of filmmakers, combined with the car's avant-garde design, could push the boundaries of fiction.

This bold scene not only accentuated Fantômas's superhuman character, but it also projected the DS into an even more mythical dimension. It became the symbol of a car capable of anything, an almost magical machine. The vision of this aerial DS captured the imagination of spectators, young and old, forever cementing the image of the DS as a car that was not only revolutionary on land but also capable of conquering the skies. This undoubtedly contributed to its legendary aura, setting it apart from all other automobiles. The flying DS is not just a special effect; it is a cultural icon, a testament to the creative ingenuity that magnified an already extraordinary car.

A series dedicated to Citroën in Cinema simply could not overlook the DS, let alone the one featured in Fantômas. These films undoubtedly allowed the "Goddess" to be much more than just an extraordinary car, propelling it beyond its primary function, particularly thanks to that famous and unforgettable flying DS. Fantômas's DS remains etched in memory, testifying to Citroën's ability to inspire creativity and leave an indelible mark, not only on our roads but also in our imaginations.