penbeast Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Looking for movie for my World History class. Just previewed a modern version of Tale of Two Cities which was mediocre. Am previewing an older one. Only other ones I can think of off top of my head is Scarlet Pimpernel and Scaramouche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useralx1172 Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 There is a list at http://www.imdb.com/keyword/french-revolution/ Off the top of my head, "Napoleon" (1927), "Danton" (1983), "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (1934) and "Scaramouche" (the 1952 version) were good, roughly in that order. "Marie Antoinette" (1938) was OK, as I recall. Then there is "Start the Revolution Without Me" (1970), although it was more of a spoof than anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lux0786 Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 Of those mentioned above, Danton might be the most valuable from the historical point of view. I'm no expert on the French Revolution but this movie is fairly specific on the rivalry between Robespierre and Danton during the Reign of Terror and in a reasonable naturalistic setting. Great local color. The first few minutes of this film is brilliant in giving a sense of the times. Napoleon is more post-Revolutionary proper. It's been a awhile since I've seen Marie Antoinette but it's probably to schmalzy to provide anything valuable in the way of history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bollywood101 Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 Start the Revolution Without Me (1970). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyweekes70 Posted October 3, 2005 Share Posted October 3, 2005 Did you imply you're restricting yourself to older films? If not, then Andrzej Wajda's Danton, with Gerard Depardieu, but good luck finding it. I just saw Eric Rohmer's L'anglaise et le duc and though the film is lacking a bit dramatically, the digital work in blending paintings and live-action brought the period to life in perhaps the most unique fashion I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted October 6, 2005 Share Posted October 6, 2005 I also highly recommend "L'Anglaise et Le Duc" (The Englishwoman and the Duke), it really impressed me. There is also a miniseries of the 1980's maybe, which focus on the life of Marie Antoinette. I liked "Orphans of the Storm" (1922) and "A Tale of Two Cities" too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Hey! Dont forget the absolutely poetic silent film Les Enfant du Paradise! Also Desiree', but that's moreabout Napoleon and very schamltzy with Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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