The old Valmorin died 200 years ago. The notary tells the family about the inheritance: the one who is terminally ill, will receive the money. They all try their luck with getting ill before the other. One family member pretends to be deaf, another pretends to have a terrible back ache. Etcetera.

This film begins interesting but doesn't continue quite like it. It's madcap comedy, but not funny enough, and scenes often feel like 'fillers' for the film. The kind of comedy that drags after a while because of all the shouting and running.

One problem is that the characters are too much a caricature to care about as a viewer. Over the top acting and humor are too often confused. This is an example. One other problem is that the film lacks a decent ending.

De Funès is the finance manager of the 'winners'. He plays his standard routine as bossy, impatient man more energetic than in later films. But he's only a supporting character. He isn't even the funniest bit of the film, that is Jean Richard, who is actually quite comical as an explorer with a lot of tics.

This film could have been a great short comedy, I suppose, but in this way it is average. I rate it 5/10.