Product Details

• Actors: Glen Pitre, Armand Assante, Gail Youngs, Michael Schoeffling, Stephen McHattie
• Format: Color, Full length, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: November 10, 1993
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 097013830X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #404,637 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All time favorite, April 12, 2001

By 

Movie Buff "Lynn" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Belizaire the Cajun [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Never in my life have I ever enjoyed a movie as much as this one and I am glad to finally have my own copy. Armand Assante shines as Belizaire and never a sexier man can be found in this role. There could be no other Belizaire. Taught me a lot of history (since I have a Canadian background) and introduced me to some wonderful music in Beausoleil. Wonderful unrequited love story told many times in other genres but never so beautifully as here. I enjoy the film for its story, its actors and the beautiful photography and music. I cannot stress strongly enough for those who haven't seen it to watch it. It will head their top 10 list as it does mine.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Unknown, First-Rate Movie, July 16, 2004

By 

C. O. DeRiemer (San Antonio, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belizaire the Cajun (DVD)

I bought the VHS tape of this movie years ago on the recommendation of a person I met in a small Cajun town in Louisiana. It was hard to find then and I'm not sure the VHS version is even available now. But the movie just came out on DVD and the price was right. It's just as interesting as when I saw it the first time. The DVD transfer is better than acceptable and easy to watch.

The movie takes place in Louisiana just before the Civil War. Anglo vigilantes are riding at night to force out the Cajuns, whom they consider undesireable. Belizaire Breaux is a healer and a fast-talker. In the opening we watch him talk the local priest into reducing a penance. He's also honorable, in his way. A Cajun woman he has always loved has married one of the Anglo leaders of the vigilantes. Some people are killed, Belizaire is falsely accused, justice -- through Belizaire's quick thinking and fast talking -- wins out. A great scene is Belizaire on the scaffold with the noose around his neck giving out his charms and potions to the sympathetic crowd, and in the process makes the murderer come forth.

Armande Assante as Belizaire does a great job. In fact, the whole cast does. They look and act like real people, and real Cajuns. A lot of them were. This was Glen Pitre's first full-length movie, as far as I can tell, and was made on a shoestring with help from Robert Redford and Robert Duvall. And it promptly disappeared from sight as soon as it was released.

If you're fond of Cajun life and music, enjoy a good story, and want to get a better glimpse of Cajun history, this is a movie well worth having.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bayou a copy right now, you!, December 7, 2004

By 

D. Hartley (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Belizaire the Cajun (DVD)

A genuine sleeper that I never thought would make it to DVD! The story takes place in pre-Civil War Louisiana. Armand Assante ("I The Jury", "The Mambo Kings") delivers a one-of-kind performance as a charismatic Cajun healer/con man who is elected by fate into becoming the pivotal figure in a powderkeg situation involving racist persecution. The film unfolds like a classic myth, or a great lost American folktale. Director Glen Pitre (of Cajun ancestory himself) immerses you in a time and place of American history where few have tread. You could call this a realistic "western" ("southern"?) adventure in the tradition of "McCabe & Mrs Miller", "Zandy's Bride", "The Hired Hand" or "Days Of Heaven". Like the aforementioned films, "Belizaire the Cajun" eschews traditional "action" scenes for engaging character development. While there are the requisite gunfights, "posse" chases and public hanging scenes, it never rings a false note; it all plays very "real". There is actually quite a bit of humor, despite the serious themes, making this film a great all-around entertainment. Memorable gallows scene toward the end is a near-classic all by itself. The 2004 DVD release sports a "less than pristeen" full-screen transfer, but the original print was low-budget to begin with. The audio is decent and the list price more than fair. Well worth your time.