Customer Reviews

La Nuit de Varennes [VHS]

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This is extremely well done. Costumes are excellent and well as the props settings and various scenes. It was the movie that made seek out a read Retif de la Bretonne. The movie takes several very strong and strictly in character persons and places them together on the coach following the fleeing King and Queen. I would say this is a must have for anyone interested in the French Revolution. I cant wait for this to be out on DVD.

It's a shame that this wonderful film is out of print (going at the moment for $99.00 used!) and that it is not yet out on DVD, even in France or the UK. One can only hope it will eventually be released on DVD.

WHERE ELSE can you find : Marcello Mastroianni, Harvey Keitel, Hanna Schygulla and the great Jean-Louis Barrault sharing screen time? [Just to name a few of the stars].

This brilliant realization of the 'race to save' the doomed Louis XVI is conceived by director Ettore Scola. Costumes by Gabriella Pescucci ["Dangerous Beauty"] and Production design by Oscar nominee - Dante Feretti ["Titus", "Kundun", etc.] authentically capture this remarkble premature-revolution rush to save the Sun King!

In brief - a devoted royal, Schygulla, frantically tries to get the Royal Coronation robes to Varennees, where Louis, Marie-Antoinette and the rest of the family are in hiding; along the way her travel companions are respectively, Casanova, Thomas Paine [now in Europe, after our 1776 incident], and the historian de la Bretonne. Respectively played by, Mastroianni, Keitel, and Barrault, they are all magnificently in character especially Mastroianni, who leaves us with a moving, melancholy portrait, as the ageing Casanova [practially upstaging the rest of the talented thespians]. Barrault - is also a fascinating figure as the historian Nicolas Edme Restif de la Bretonne, passively observing the events. Can't say anymore - that would ruin the plot, the reasoning "behind the Royal Robes".

THE WORK RIVALS the beauty of Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon" and Fellini's "Casanova" - worthy companions though!

A rarely seen work, it well deserves a restored, wide-screen DVD release - long overdue!

This movie has as its base the improbable scenario of a public coach on the same route and about two hours behind Louis XVI as he flees Paris. In the Coach is Thomas Paine (Harvey Keitel), Retif de la Bretonne, a lady in waiting, a rich industrialist, a middle class woman, young jacobin, etc. During the course of the journey the passangers get to know each other and discuss the events of the day and the revolution in general each with a particular point of view. It is extremely well done with very authentic detail in costuming and accoutrements.

Where the people are historic they are in character and in some instances are made to say quotes that have been attributed to them. (...)

The night of Varennes is a haunting and reflective portrait about a supposedly event concerning to the autumnal stage of Casanova' s memories lived and narrated by himself surrounded of avid people, wishful to know about his past adventures.

This is essentially a poetic film, supported by a very imaginative script and also an enviable cast, starred by the unforgettable Marcello Mastroianni and the divine actress Hanna Schygulla (The marriage of Maria Braun). The initial shot focuses about a picture that slowly begins to dissolve before our profane eyes, tinged of magisterial beauty.

Ettora Schola was undoubtedly an outstanding director, who decided to risk himself with this haunting story and won for the posterity, since in my opinion the film increases and enhances itself through the years.

If you are seeking for a very distinguished picture for your personal collection and simultaneously to enjoy the art-cinema, go for this expressive, lovable and adorable masterpiece.

What will they be waiting for to release on DVD format?