In Ettore Scola's 1968 comedy Will Our Heroes Be Able to Find Their Friend Who Has Mysteriously Disappeared in Africa?, which of the four actors is not in the cast
LEVEL 4 — 👑 MASTER
Welcome to Level 4 Master, where cinema knowledge meets true expertise. This quiz challenges even the most dedicated film enthusiasts with twelve questions spanning decades, countries, and genres. From Italian comedies with marathon-length titles to French literary adaptations, from Hollywood westerns to Greek sci-fi curiosities, these films represent the rich tapestry of global cinema. You'll encounter works by legendary directors like Ettore Scola, Howard Hawks, Mike Nichols, and Benoît Jacquot. Some questions test your knowledge of cinematographers and composers, others ask you to identify ensemble casts or trace the careers of actors at pivotal moments. Whether you're a seasoned film buff or climbing the ranks from earlier levels, prepare to dig deep into your memory. These twelve films are connected by their place in cinema history, each offering a unique window into the art of filmmaking. Good luck, master.
Will Our Heroes Be Able to Find Their Friend Who Has Mysteriously Disappeared in Africa? started a trend in Italian cinema for using extremely long, elaborate titles. Ettore Scola wrote the screenplay alongside his nearly permanent collaborators Agenore Incrocci and Furio Scarpelli, crafting a story that blends satire with social commentary. The 1968 comedy features a stellar cast of Italian comedy icons, with music by Armando Trovajoli. One of these four legendary actors does not appear in the film — can you identify which one?
La Gamberge (The Dance), released in 1962, is a French comedy directed by Norbert Carbonnaux. The film is based on the French comic strip 13 rue de l'Espoir, created by Jacques and François Gall. Arletty and Michel Serrault lead the cast as the central couple, bringing their considerable talents to this adaptation. The supporting ensemble includes Jean Poiret, Micheline Francey, and Régine, creating a vibrant comedic world rooted in the popular graphic source material.
Based on Graham Greene's novel and entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival, this film contains no original score, instead featuring indigenous music from Sierra Leone in West Africa, where location filming took place. Greene drew upon his wartime experiences in Sierra Leone, where he worked for Britain's Secret Intelligence Service. The cast includes Trevor Howard, Maria Schell, Denholm Elliott, Peter Finch, Gérard Oury, and George Coulouris, all contributing to this atmospheric adaptation directed by George More O'Ferrall. Which 1953 film brought together this international ensemble?
Hour of the Gun, a 1967 western by John Sturges, stars James Garner as Wyatt Earp and Jason Robards as Doc Holliday in a gritty retelling of the O.K. Corral aftermath. The film features Jerry Goldsmith's memorable score and Lucien Ballard's cinematography, creating a stark visual landscape. Notably, this production marked the second film appearance of a young actor who would go on to become one of Hollywood's most respected performers, appearing in a small role at the beginning of his career.
In The Crossing of Paris (La Traversée de Paris), Claude Autant-Lara directs Jean Gabin and Bourvil as two men carrying four suitcases across occupied Paris during World War II. The production was filmed in color but processed in black and white, creating a distinctive visual texture. Before the film's release, novelist Marcel Aymée published a letter expressing his opposition to Bourvil's casting, but after viewing the finished work, he apologized to the actor, who had been deeply wounded by the initial criticism. Which actor co-stars beside Gabin and Bourvil in this tense wartime journey?
Robert Benton directed five notable films: Billy Bathgate, Nadine, Places in the Heart, Still of the Night, and Kramer vs. Kramer. Beyond Benton's direction, these films share another significant artistic connection — they were all photographed by the same cinematographer, who worked with Éric Rohmer, François Truffaut, Mike Nichols, and many others before his death in 1992 at age 61. This cinematographer brought a distinctive visual sensibility to each of Benton's diverse projects.
Il Fornaretto di Venezia (The Scapegoat), a 1963 drama, brings together an impressive international cast including Jacques Perrin, Michèle Morgan, Enrico Maria Salerno, Sylva Koscina, Stefania Sandrelli, and Gastone Moschin. Armando Trovajoli composed the musical score, adding emotional depth to this Venetian tale exploring themes of justice and sacrifice. One director guided this ensemble through the intricate narrative, drawing strong performances from each actor.
A remarkable ensemble cast defines this film, featuring Elijah Wood, Christian Slater, Martin Sheen, William H. Macy, Shia LaBeouf, Helen Hunt, Laurence Fishburne, Harry Belafonte, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, and Anthony Hopkins. Emilio Estevez directed the film and also stars alongside Heather Graham, Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead in this ambitious production with an enormous cast.
Mike Nichols directed this adaptation of Joseph Heller's novel, with the screenplay written by actor-writer Buck Henry, who also plays a role in the film. The production features an enormous cast including Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, Orson Welles, Bob Balaban, Charles Grodin, and many others. All four movies in the question options feature screenplays by Buck Henry, who wrote more than 20 screenplays for cinema, mainly comedies. Which Mike Nichols film is based on Heller's satirical masterpiece?
In this 1941 Howard Hawks film, Don Siegel served as second unit director, while additional scenes were shot by Vincent Sherman. Max Steiner composed the musical score, and Sol Polito handled cinematography, creating the visual and auditory landscape of this production. Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, and Joan Leslie are cast in the film, bringing their considerable talents to this wartime story.
Michael Cacoyannis' sci-fi comedy The Day the Fish Came Out stars Tom Courtenay and Candice Bergen in an unusual tale. Mikis Theodorakis scored the music, adding a distinctive Greek musical voice to this British production. Sam Wanamaker and Colin Blakely are also cast in the film, which was inspired by an actual incident involving a B-52 bomber collision over Spain. Two individuals who served as assistant directors on this production would go on to have notable careers in cinema.
Vincent Martinez portrays a bisexual hustler in Benoît Jacquot's 1998 romantic film The School of Flesh (L'École de la Chair). The screenplay was written by Jacques Fieschi and Benoît Jacquot, adapting a novel by Yukio Mishima for the screen. The film explores complex relationships and desire against a sophisticated Parisian backdrop, featuring a cast of notable French actors.
These twelve films represent just a fraction of cinema's vast landscape, each offering unique insights into different eras, styles, and artistic visions. From the golden age of Hollywood to European art cinema, from literary adaptations to original screenplays, these questions touch on the collaborative nature of filmmaking — directors, cinematographers, composers, and actors all playing essential roles. Whether you answered every question correctly or discovered new films to explore, Level 4 Master celebrates the depth and diversity of global cinema. Keep watching, keep learning, and keep challenging yourself. The next level awaits.