Danton

Death is the beginning of immortality

In the cold spring of 1794, on the second year of The Republic, Georges Jacques Danton comes back to Paris and tries to stop the Reign of Terror…

The director of «Danton» was a famous Polish film director Andrzej Wajda and, of course, the critics saw a parallel between the Revolution and the Solidarity movement. Nevertheless, Andrzej Wajda is much more than a politicized film director and you can’t analyze «Danton» from this simplistic point of view.

From the first minutes, Andrzej Waida draws the spectator into the real Reign of Terror: hungry people, ruthless guardsmen, blood-thirsty members of the Committee of Public Safety and merciless guillotine. The ruthless struggle between Maximillian Robespierre and Georges Jacques Danton starts.

France is torn apart by a «quite» civil war with more than a two sides – Jacobins, Royalists, Journalists, Hebraists and so on. Despite an adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen and democratic values, the country moves closer and closer to the dictatorship, which knows only one word – death. The National Convention smells death and the biggest group of deputies proves their nickname – Le Marais.

Georges Danton is depicted as a man with lots of illusions. He thinks that the Reign of Terror could be smashed by words. Georges Danton refuses to crush Robespierre by military force and he is convinced that the trial would be the tribune for the People. The Gods of Revolution craves for blood of their children and Danton would be the first human sacrifice for them. I cannot judge the historical accuracy of Danton’s portrayal. But you can affirmatively say that it is one of the best roles of Gerard Depardieu. If you want to enjoy the real Depardieu, who acted in the films of the best directors and starred with the best female counterparts, you should not miss this film.

Maximillian Robespierre is a very controversial historical figure. Some authors (historians and writers) are depicting him as a ruthless monster; other authors are depicting him as a true martyr for the cause of the Revolution. Andrzej Waida portrayed Robespierre as a stern figure and a firm believer in the Revolution. In the beginning he shows some remains of a human nature and tries to save his friends and comrades from the Tribunal and execution. But, as the overall situation in France deteriorates and the members the Committee of Public Safety becomes more and more blood-thirsty, a soul of Robespierre is progressively melting. When I read a literature about Robespierre, I imagined him as a Wojciech Pszoniak character – stern manners, silent voice and the eyes, which turns your blood into ice.

Culmination of the film is the trial against a members of Danton’s party. The trial could be described by Augustus phrase (I think it is misattributed to him): «You must die!» Despite courage and oratorical prodigy of Danton, the Committee of Public Safety sentenced him to death. There is no place for a rule of law, presumption of innocence and equality in the Reign of Terror. Nevertheless, «that rat Robespierre» and many other would follow Danton to the scaffold, and the star of one young general is rising, who will bury the Revolution.

Danton is a sincere and scary film about the Reign of Terror. I recommend to watch it in pair with La Reine Margot.

La Reine Margot

Mes catholiques, mes protestants, réunis tous ensemble dans la Maison de Dieu. C'est un symbole ce mariage, ça va tout arranger!

In my opinion, the book of Alexander Dumas-father «Queen Margot» is not a literary masterpiece. This book is well written, interesting, and enjoyable; nevertheless, it is unrealistic, too romantic and influenced by propaganda against Catherine de Medici. Patrice Chéreau have taken out the best parts of the book, and have created his own vision of the XVI-century France.

The director drags the spectator into the real Middle Ages – blood, dirt, worthless human life, promiscuity of the French court. Patrice Chéreau portrays France, which is torn by a horrible civil war, when «the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death».

«La Reine Margot» shows the inner world of a French ruling class with a weak and hypochondriac Charles IX as the nominal ruler. In reality, there is a ruthless political game between Catholics and Huguenots. Neither Admiral Coligny or Duke de Guise are interested in the well-being of France, they only pursue their military and political interests.

The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre depicted as the bloody orgy, which has nothing to do with a religion. In the 10-minute span, the director portrays a graphic portrait of people, who lost all traits of honor and humanity; they are cutting throats of women and children and molest corpses just for fun.

Jean-Hugues Anglade has convincingly portrayed weak and hypochondriac King of France. He clearly understands, that he is merely a toy in the hands of his mother and nobility, but he can’t break the circle. The Actor has brilliantly showed the good side of Charles IX, who is capable of admiring true friendship and abhors violence.

Daniel Auteuil portrayed King of Navarre, and the future King of France Henry IV, who is forced to become a hostage and takes his own «school of unhappiness». King of Navarra is degraded to the spectator of Huguenots genocide, but he is still, compared with Charles IX brothers, capable of a human conduct.

Virna Lisi showed The Princess of Darkness, The Devil in the Flesh, which is morphed in the form of Catherine de Medici. She is the only person, who cares about the future of France. Catherine plays on her own «chess board», but the fate has prepared the different future for her. Despite the blood on her hands, one could feel a certain degree of admiration and compassion towards Catherine, you could even quote Oscar Wilde: «Sin is the only real colour-element left in modern life».

Everyone, who is got used to the «burning» Adelie Hugo, Anna, Camille Claudel and Penelope would be stunned by Isabelle Adjani’s acting. Margaret de Valois is the ultimate Royal consort – cold, arrogant and emotionally distant. The Actress portrayed the tragedy of a woman who was always the other’s people toy; who is stuck in the loveless marriage; whose only form of rebellion is the quick affairs. Nevertheless, Margaret was the only person who found the courage to protect the unloved husband and who become his tutor in the «school of unhappiness».

As Jeanne Moreau in «Les Amants», Isabelle Adjani portrays the transformation of Margaret de Valois by a true love in the form of La Mole. She becomes a woman, who breathes freely and is ready to commit the most selfless acts. Isabelle Adjani’s acting is more restrained, than in her other masterpieces, she relies more on the voice acting, facial expression, eyes. This restrained technique does not make Adjani’s acting weaker, than in her other masterpieces. The last scene of «La reine Margot» could make your heart bleed nothing less than the scenes of «L’Histoire de Adelie H.». After this film, you want to give The Actress a standing ovation. In addition, one would like to thank Mademoiselle Adjani for not wasting her acting genius on the second and third-rate films; she saved herself only for the best.

Others actors were also brilliant. Pascal Greggory as the cunning Duke of Anjou, who is willing to do anything to become a King. Miguel Bosé as the arrogant Duke de Guise. Dominique Blanc as Henriette de Nevers – Margot’s friend and accomplice. Veteran French actor Jean-Claude as Admiral Coligny; the list goes on and on.

«La Reine Margot» is an off-charts brilliant film, which would be interesting to everyone.

10/10