La Reine Margot
1993
This acclaimed film presents the epic 16th-century saga of Margot de Valois (Isabelle Adjani) and her tragic arranged marriage to Henri of Navarre (Daniel Auteuil). In order to create an alliance between the Protestants and the Catholics, Margot is betrothed to Henri, one of the leaders of the French Protestants. Margot, .. Read more
| Starring | Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Vincent Perez |
|---|---|
| Director | Patrice Chereau |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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La Reine Margot
This acclaimed film presents the epic 16th-century saga of Margot de Valois (Isabelle Adjani) and her tragic arranged marriage to Henri of Navarre (Daniel Auteuil). In order to create an alliance between the Protestants and the Catholics, Margot is betrothed to Henri, one of the leaders of the French Protestants. Margot, despite her initial hostility, eventually becomes Henri's main ally in a convoluted and conspiratorial court. However, determined not to consummate her relationship with Henri, Margot takes a Protestant lover (Vincent Perez) and during the St. Bartholomew's Night Massacre, in which the Catholics slaughter the Protestants, helps him escape. The events that follow change not only Margot's life but the course of French history.
| Starring | Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Vincent Perez, Virna Lisi |
|---|---|
| Director | Patrice Chereau |
| Studio | PATHE DISTRIBUTION |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 35 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: French |
| Released | DVD: 27 Mar 2000 Production year: 1993 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Catherine de Medici (Françoise Rosay) rules France through her son, Charles IX, and hopes to avoid civil war between the Protestants and the Catholics by arranging a marriage between her daughter Margot (Jeanne Moreau) and a handsome count. Dumas's novel was originally adapted by Abel Gance, the director of the legendary silent epic Napoléon, but the film that finally emerged was much more of a bodice-ripper and it suffered cuts for the American and British markets. It was lavishly remade in 1994 with Isabelle Adjani.
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Engagingly vivid account of power struggles on personal, political and religious levels, involving bloodshed, poison, lust and betrayal.
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Most helpful member's review
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15 out of 17 people found this review helpful
God but not great
French film with english subitles about Paris in 1527.
My history isn't good so maybe that was the reason I had to go back to the initial subtitles to try and get my bearings at the start of the film.
Basically it is about the effect an incestuous Catholic French Royal Family has on themselves and their subjects.
Margot(Adjani), the sister of the King is married (against her will)to her protestant cousin, to try and alleviate the Catholic's concerns, that the King is being influenced more by his Protestant mentor, than his wicked mother. Not a great idea, but it's actually part of a master plan, to start a cull of the Protestants. This has the desired effect, as a result of tension induced at the wedding.
The Catholic faith obviously had different values in those days because murder, incest, and generally sleeping around with everyone but your spouse, seems to be the order of the day.
In amongst all this murder and mayhem Margot's attitude to life changes, after she meets her soul(sex)mate (not hubbie) and rather than sleeping with all and sundry, she tries to change, and act like the potential queen that she is.
The film is then about the trials and tribulations of love and survival in an atmosphere of violence and distrust.
Oh and in the true tradition of French films there's quite a bit of naked flesh -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
La Reine Margot.
What a fantastic, compelling film. Yes it's bloody and so were those times. How one can learn from History. Do NOT let religion allow you the excuse to sink into barbarism.
The acting and pace ( I usually find French films a bit slow and drawn - out ) are superb. -
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