La reine Margot (1994)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Patrice Chéreau

Writers:

Alexandre Dumas père (novel)
Danièle Thompson (scenario & adaptation) ...

Release Date:

9 December 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

Plot:

The night of August 24, 1572, is known as the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. In France a religious war is raging...

Plot Keywords:

Catholic | Protestant | Massacre | King | Power

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Isabelle Adjani	...	Marguerite de Valois dite La Reine Margot
Daniel Auteuil	...	Henri de Navarre
Jean-Hugues Anglade	...	Charles IX
Vincent Perez	...	La Môle
Virna Lisi	...	Catherine de Médicis
Dominique Blanc	...	Henriette de Nevers
Pascal Greggory	...	Anjou
Claudio Amendola	...	Coconnas
Miguel Bosé	...	Guise
Asia Argento	...	Charlotte of Sauve
Julien Rassam	...	Alençon
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Nançay
Jean-Claude Brialy	...	Coligny
Jean-Philippe Écoffey	...	Condé
Albano Guaetta	...	Orthon

Also Known As:

Die Bartholomäusnacht (Germany)
La regina Margot (Italy)
Queen Margot (USA)

Runtime:

162 min | France:159 min | Germany:139 min (video version) | Germany:174 min | USA:144 min

Country:

France | Italy | Germany

Language:

French | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Peru:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Singapore:(Banned)

Filming Locations:

Basilique de Saint-Quentin, Saint-Quentin, Aisne, Picardie, France

Company:

Renn Productions

Trivia:

Patrice Chereau edited the original cut of the film (roughly 160 minutes) to a smaller 138 minutes for international release. This was due to a disappointing box-office performance in France and the criticism (by, among others, Variety critic Todd McCarthy) of the film as being too violent and often incoherent. The French press were scathing of this 'American censorship' (they described the film as having been 'given a face-lift' for American audiences) but the new version was defended by various French critics being both more coherent whilst also maintaining Chereau's artistic vision. The shorter cut was later released in France too, in the hopes of increasing the film's box-office takings.

Goofs:

Continuity: In a scene where La Môle and Coconnas are fighting with swords, La Môle cuts Coconnas' forehead with his sword. There is a lot of blood from the wound on his forehead, but when Coconnas falls down, there's no blood on his forehead or his face at all.

Quotes:

Charles IX: One who gives life is no longer a mother once she takes that life back.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1995) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Elo Hi

Magnificent to Behold

Historic epics don't come more epic than this effort from France. It isn't done justice on the small screen, but in the cinema, one can really appreciate the monumental scale of this film. Its source is the novel by Alexandre Dumas about historical events in 16th Century Paris, concerning the Catholic monarchy's attempts to remove the threat of the Huguenot Protestants, culminating in the St Bartholemew's Day massacre of the Heguenots in 1572. In particular, the film focuses on the exploitation of Margot, the sister of the King of France, by her mother Catherine di Medici (the real power behind the throne)to achieve these ends.

Make no mistakes, this film is bathed in blood. The aftermath of the massacre is particularly hard to swallow. However, the caliber of film making here is suburb. The production is quite stunning, in particular Moidel Bickel's excellent costumes. Verna Lisi, as Catherine di Medici, is in top form, cool and magnificent as the power broker Queen Mother. Isabelle Adjani, France's answer to Meryl Streep, has the most wonderful and expressive face, with enormous eyes that radiate the emotions of this complex character.

This film is long, tough going and (shock/horror) it has subtitles! Don't be so easily put off, as this is a film truly worth seeing.