We always try in this blog to talk about non anglophone series and movies and this was one of our main goals for this year. This time, we decide to make a little post about some favorite French period dramas.
In some cases, it was not easy to find videos and even pictures was a hard quest…
The story starts with Phillipe, le Bel and follows the French monarchy until the Hundred Years’ War. Memorable performances and a must for all those who love series set during the Middle Ages. A new version was aired a couple of years ago but it was not near as good as the original one.
After the war, a man returns home but his wife knows he is not the man she was married to… Sommersby was inspired by this movie but the original is much more complex and captivating. The performance of Gérard Depardieu alone is worth the trouble of finding a copy.
(No video found…)
Inspired on the book with the same name by Alexandre Dumas, this story is set during the 16th century in France. Marguerite de Valois (Isabelle Adjani), known as la Reine Margot, is about to marry the Huguenot King of Navarre, Henry of Bourbon. Six days after, the St. Bartholomew’s Massacre takes place…
Aesthetically captivating, the scene where Margot appears dressed in white and covered in her brother’s blood will remain one of the most powerful images of the movie.
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=17CL22j1qOU]
Adapted from the theatre play by Edmond Rostand, this must be one of the most cherished historical movies in French cinema. We are not Gerard Depardieu fans but he is so wonderful as Cyrano that you easily get caught up in the story. The nose insults will remain one of our favorite scenes.
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=HFIe995kJQc]
Wife of Louis XIV, Madame de Maintenon decided to open a school for impoverish aristocratic young women. From the beginning, things become much more complicated than expected…
Isabelle Hupert is sublime in this movie as the self rightous and austere Maintenon.
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=-HtkWUCfV8A]
Directed by one of our favorite French directors, Gérard Corbiau, Le Roi Danse is a movie about Louis XIV and his passion for dance and music. A must for any history buff who enjoys a gripping story, perfect photography and the music of Jean-Baptiste Lully.
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=4o-RYmQrftI]
A biopic about Adèle Hugo (Isabelle Adjani), daughter of the famous novelist Victor Hugo, who is known for her tragic life. Her complicated relationship with her father and a non returned love dragged her slowly into madness…
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=fvH77u47d7k]
Another biopic with Isabelle Adjani who seems to have a gift to portray tragic and gifted young women. Camille Claudel was a sculptor and the student (and lover) of Rodin. This movie shows us how she defied social rules while becoming an artist and later an outcast for being openly involved with a married man.
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=eaxNm1aGKqI]
Adapted from the novel with the same name by Émile Zola, this movie is all about the life and struggling of the French miners in the North of France at the end of the 19th century. Again, Gérard Depardieu’s performance proves why he is considered one of the most talented actors of his generation.
See the movie trailer here.
The passionate love story between George Sand and Alfred Musset is brilliantly reenact by Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel. Another story with a powerful woman of the 19th century who led an original life without many regards for social conventions. A must for all Juliette Binoche’s fans!
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=98qdACO-g3I]
During a cholera epidemic, the young Pauline de Théus starts her journey home to join her husband when she meets Angelo Pardi, a young revolutionary who is trying to escape the Austrian authorities…
This is a beautiful love story where Juliette Binoche shows us again how marvellous she is and even Olivier Martinez, who lacks a bit of natural, manages to held our attention and hope for a happy ending.
[youtube=http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=gwpNBd8YTNg]
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Adjani is a very frequent – and very good – actress in french movies. Besides that, Daniel Auteill is my favourite french actor. See L´Adversaire.
What an absolute joy to fall onto a blog reminding one of so many outstanding movies that are works or art.I have seen every one of your choices.Excellent choices you have made. I second Daniel Auteill as a wonderful actor. Ajani is breathtakingly gorgeous and has a fragility in her acting that is really beguiling.
I haven’t seen any of these, though La Reine Margot is part of my TBS.
Love La Reine Margot film – want to read the book too ;0)