That Night in Varennes (1982)
"La nuit de Varennes" (original title)

In June of 1791, a group of passengers in a stagecoach find themselves caught up in the events of the French Revolution, when they find themselves in the city of Varennes when ... See full summary »

Director:

Ettore Scola

Writers:

Sergio Amidei (screenplay), Ettore Scola (screenplay),

Stars:

Jean-Louis Barrault, Marcello Mastroianni, Hanna Schygulla

6 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Louis Barrault	...	Nicolas Edmé Restif de la Bretonne
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Casanova, Chevalier de Seingalt
Hanna Schygulla	...	Countess Sophie de la Borde
Harvey Keitel	...	Thomas Paine
Jean-Claude Brialy	...	Monsieur Jacob
Andréa Ferréol	...	Madame Adélaïde Gagnon
Michel Vitold	...	De Florange
Laura Betti	...	Virginia Capacelli
Enzo Jannacci	...	Italian clown
Pierre Malet	...	Emile Delage, student revolutionary
Daniel Gélin	...	De Wendel
Hugues Quester	...	Jean-Louis Romeuf
Dora Doll	...	Nanette Precy
Caterina Boratto	...	Madame Faustine
Didi Perego	...	Madame Sauce

Storyline

In June of 1791, a group of passengers in a stagecoach find themselves caught up in the events of the French Revolution, when they find themselves in the city of Varennes when revolutionists arrest the fleeing King Louis.

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Plot Keywords:

france | escape | french revolution | revolution | place name in title | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

16 February 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Noite de Varennes

Filming Locations:

Senlis, Oise, France

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 2,277,209 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont, France 3 (FR 3), Opera Film Produzione

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 122 min (short version) (dubbed) (short) 135 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Casanova: Place au Chevalier de Seingalt et à Monsieur de la Bretonne! Place au génie!

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Connections

Referenced in One Hundred and One Nights (1995)

User Reviews

The night of the dead made alive

One of the most notable reviewers on this site condemned "La nuit de Varennes" to 2,5 stars (out of 4), but I am of the opinion that this movie should be appreciated better : there are not so many cinematic works in our times that are carried by such valuable concept,i.e. that preach and teach dignity and tolerance opposed to a laudable but often misguiding need to serve some higher principle. "Idiocy is the worst of treasons. - And no revolution will ever stop it." In Scola's historical comedy of manners, thoughts and emotions, Barrault's Restif is the key figure which spans a bridge between humble vox populi of Thomas Paine and aristocratic grandeur of Casanova. Watching this movie I felt like the spirit of wiser old Europe (which is still there, thanks to Scola a.o.) entered the body of Robert Altman's shape. French blu-ray with English subtitles is to be treasured.