Le Bossu Details

Le Bossu

This superb swashbuckler stars Daniel Auteuil as Lagardere, a swordsman in 18th-century France who befriends his fellow fencing student, the dashing Duke de Nevers (Vincent Perez), only to wind up on the run and accused of his murder. Nevers' villainous cousin (Fabrice Luchini) has orchestrated the killing, and is now after the Duke's infant child, Aurore, who is rescued and raised by Lagardere. Sixteen years pass and Aurore grows into a ravishing beauty (played by Marie Gillain), who has inherited her father's skill with a sword, and, controversially, developed more than just a daughterly love for her protector. Sworn to avenge the Duke's death and restore Aurore's rightful title, Lagardere undertakes a daring scheme of retribution and revenge, disguised as a hunchback. Like a great old novel (it's adapted from LE BOSSU by Paul Feval) the film grips one's attention firmly from beginning to end, with Auteuil a dashing Fairbanks-esque hero, Luchini a most hissable villain, and Gillain a damsel worth dying for. Sumptuous photography lovingly captures the epic sets and breathtaking outdoor locations without ever distracting from character, plot, or pace.

Starring	Vincent Perez, Daniel Auteuil, Marie Gillain, Fabrice Luchini, Jean-Francois Stevenin, Didier Pain, Claire Nebout, Philippe Noiret
Director	Philippe de Broca
Studio	PATHE DISTRIBUTION
Run time	DVD: 2 hrs 3 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama, World Cinema
Language	DVD: French
Subtitles	DVD: English
Released	DVD: 26 Apr 2004 Production year: 1997
Format	DVD