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Belle Epoque Details

1992 DVD Certificate 15.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 2098 members

The sultry Spanish countryside, 1931. The monarchy is ending, and the army and church reign supreme over Spanish life. In this tumultuous world, a young soldier Fernando (Jorge Sanz), decides to desert the army in hopes of finding a more pleasant way to live and seeks refuge on the farm of widowed Manolo. When the farmer's four .. Read more

Starring Penelope Cruz, Penelope Cruz, Miriam Diaz-Aroca, Gabino Diego
Director Fernando Trueba
Genres Drama, World Cinema

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Belle Epoque

The sultry Spanish countryside, 1931. The monarchy is ending, and the army and church reign supreme over Spanish life. In this tumultuous world, a young soldier Fernando (Jorge Sanz), decides to desert the army in hopes of finding a more pleasant way to live and seeks refuge on the farm of widowed Manolo. When the farmer's four beautiful daughters arrive (including Penelope Cruz), in turn they use their own unique charms to seduce (and instruct!) the handsome, exhausted yet willing young soldier. One particularly memorable tip requires a clean handkerchief! A charming, idyllic period comedy of young love and loving. Academy Award: Best Foreign Film.

Starring Penelope Cruz, Penelope Cruz, Miriam Diaz-Aroca, Gabino Diego, Jorge Sanz
Director Fernando Trueba
Studio SECOND SIGHT FILMS LTD.
Run time DVD: 1 hr 45 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate 15.gif
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language Spanish
Released DVD: 23 Aug 2004
Production year: 1992
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (4) of Belle Epoque

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Winner of the best foreign language film Oscar, this charming picture recalls not only a key moment in Spanish history, at the dawning of the short-lived Republic, but also a golden age in film-making when romantic comedies were about innocence, discovery and love — and not gymnastic lust. Director Fernando Trueba claims his only mentor is Billy Wilder, but there is more than a touch of Buñuel about the opening sequences and the down-to-earth-with-a-bump finale. Although the romantic entanglements involving army deserter Jorge Sanz and the four bewitching sisters hold centre stage, the film is stolen by Fernando Fernan Gomez as their anarchist artist father.

    • Radio Times
  • 1 stars out of 4

    A leisurely, enjoyable film of the past, as seen through rose-coloured spectacles; it is inoffensive and amusing without being particularly memorable.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Belle Epoque

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  • 25 out of 37 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Only watched opening scenes.

    Sorry - this was the third film we tried tonight - 1 damaged and 1 we didn't like. So, by the time we got round to this one, we weren't really in a mood for dark opening scenes and Buñuel type dialogue and action. Reading the reviews I guess we may have missed a masterpiece but maybe at a different time in a different atmosphere it woud have been worth sticking at. Sorry to all those film buffs who thought it was 5 star material.

      • crispin40 from Stirling, Scotland
  • Most recent members' review of Belle Epoque

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Romantic Romp in Rural Spain

    Set against the traumas of the Spanish Civil War, Belle Epoque turns away from tradegy and focuses on the romantic intertwinings of a deserter soldier and four sisters in rural Spain. Entertaining, funny and very watchable with a strong cast.

      • Martin from Lincolnshire
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Rating breakdown

2,098 Member ratings
  • 100
170
  • 90
168
  • 80
390
  • 70
445
  • 60
414
  • 50
230
  • 40
120
  • 30
66
  • 20
67
  • 10
28

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    • The sultry Spanish countryside, 1931. The monarchy is ending, and the army and church reign supreme over Spanish life. In this tumultuous world, a young soldier Fernando (Jorge Sanz), decides to ...