French film director de Broca dies at 71

PARIS, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- French film director Philippe de Broca, best known for eccentric comedies, died of cancer. He was 71.

French cinema lost "one of its most talented servants" who gave France "some of its most successful comedies," said President Jacques Chirac. Chirac led tributes to the man whose most popular films were "The Man From Rio" starring Belmondo and "The King of Hearts" with Alan Bates. His death was announced Saturday, the BBC reported.

de Broca's last film, "Viper in the Fist," sold more than 1 million tickets in France since its release in October to complete a film career that began in 1959.