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The French Revolution

The French Revolution

Drama · War · History · 1989

A history of the French Revolution beginning from the decision of the king to convene the Etats-Generaux in 1789 in order to deal with France's debt problem. Part one spans the event until August 10, 1792 (when the King Louis XVI lost all authority and was imprisoned). Part two carries the story through the end of the terror in 1794.

Movie details

The French Revolution

1989 Drama · War · History 5h 35m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

A history of the French Revolution beginning from the decision of the king to convene the Etats-Generaux in 1789 in order to deal with France's debt problem. Part one spans the event until August 10, 1792 (when the King Louis XVI lost all authority and was imprisoned). Part two carries the story through the end of the terror in 1794.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The French Revolution?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Les Misérables

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In 19th century France, Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a relentless policeman named Javert. The pursuit consumes both men's lives, and soon Valjean finds himself in the midst of the student revolutions in France.

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Danton

Danton

Drama · 1983

Danton and Robespierre were close friends and fought together in the French Revolution, but by 1793 Robespierre was France's ruler, determined to wipe out opposition with a series of mass executions that became known as the Reign of Terror. Danton, well known as a spokesman of the people, had been living in relative solitude in the French countryside, but he returned to Paris to challenge Robespierre's violent rule and call for the people to demand their rights. Robespierre, however, could not accept such a challenge, even from a friend and colleague, and he blocked out a plan for the capture and execution of Danton and his allies.

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In 1894, French Captain Alfred Dreyfus is wrongfully convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Devil’s Island penal colony.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Richard T. Heffron · Robert Enrico

Written by

Daniel Boulanger · Robert Enrico · David Ambrose

Klaus Maria Brandauer

Klaus Maria Brandauer

Danton

François Cluzet

François Cluzet

Camille Desmoulins

Marie Bunel

Marie Bunel

Lucile Desmoulins

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour

Marie Antoinette

Jean-François Balmer

Jean-François Balmer

Louis XVI

Andrzej Seweryn

Andrzej Seweryn

Robespierre

Vittorio Mezzogiorno

Vittorio Mezzogiorno

Marat

Court is in session

Put The French Revolution on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.