Eric stars alongside his brother Joel and their father Albert, as a pétanque player in this humourous film about a motorcycle journey from Paris to Marseilles. [Nov 2001]

Set in the French Loire Valley in the 1930's, Children of the Marshland recalls the warm friendship between Garris and Riton who are trying to scrape a living by doing odd jobs. After befriending businessman Pepe, who found success away form the village, they meet local psychopathic boxer Joe Sardi (played by Eric). Feeling sorrow for himself, Riton gets caught up in a Café brawl with Sardi, who loses his cool, trashes a bar, fights with police and after he's finally thrown in jail, starts plotting his revenge. A big hit in France and a charming story, beautifully told. [1999]

The video of the 1998 Enfoirés en Coeur musical spectacular, in which Eric Cantona appears on 'Excuse-moi Partenaire' with Johnny Hallyday, and the medleys, 'Flashdance', 'Love Story, and 'Nous Nous Sommes Tant Aimés'. 'Excuse-moi Partenaire' also appears on the CD soundtrack. [1998]

Eric plays a boxer who meets a monk and his talking chimpanzee and joins them on the run from scientists in this well-received comedy. His best moment comes as he walks past a group of kids playing football on the street. The ball rolls towards him tantalisingly, but the collar stays firmly turned down as he steps over the ball without a second glance. [1998]

Eric convincingly plays French Ambassador, Monsieur de Foix, alongside Christopher Eccleston, Cate Blanchett, Richard Attenborough, Jospeh Fiennes and John Gielgud in this Oscar-winning film about the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England. He has the thankless task of brokering the marriage between Elizabeth I (Blanchett) and the transvestite Duc d'Anjou (Vincent Cassel). [1999]

Cantona's first major role, albeit in a short. He plays a bullying boxing promoter in this comedy. Joel again has a part, as does Jake La Motta. Rarely seen it does however boast a soundtrack by Joe Strummer [1999]

In his first film role, Eric Cantona makes a brief appearance as Lionel, a rugby-playing love cheat. At the time, Cantona, who made the film while serving his suspension was still Nike's most high profile athlete and there's shameless product placement from start to finish. The film's main focus is on his girlfriend's father who turns his back on the rat race and takes up duck farming instead. His brother Joel, has a part too. Eric won rave reviews, and the film was a big hit in France and Switzerland [1995]