The Return of Martin Guerre
(1982)
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The Return of Martin Guerre
(1982)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Gérard Depardieu | ... | ||
| Nathalie Baye | ... |
Bertrande de Rols
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Maurice Barrier | ... |
Uncle Pierre Guerre
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Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu | ... |
Martin Guerre
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Isabelle Sadoyan | ... |
Catherine Boëre
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Rose Thiéry | ... |
Raimonde de Rols
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Chantal Deruaz | ... |
Jeanne
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Maurice Jacquemont | ... |
Judge Rieux
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Roger Planchon | ... |
Jean de Coras
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Francis Arnaud |
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Philippe Babin | ... |
Jacques
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Axel Bogousslavsky |
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Valérie Chassigneux | ... |
Guillemette
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Neige Dolsky |
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Adrien Duquesne | ... |
Sanxi Guerre
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During the medieval times, Martin Guerre returns to his hometown in the middle of France, after being away in the war since he was a child. Nobody recognise him, and the people who knew him suspect he is not Martin, but he knows all about his family and friends, even the most unusual things. Is this man really Martin Guerre? Written by Michel Rudoy <mdrc@hp9000a1.uam.mx>
This definitive version of the story of Martin Guerre (remade in English with Richard Gere and Jodie Foster as 'Sommersby'; and musicalised in a misguided version by Boublil and Schoenberg) is amongst French actor Gérard Depardieu's greatest roles. As the bluff, romantic, sensitive soldier who returns to the village after years away (or does he?) he manages to provoke all sorts of reactions from his other on-screen characters as well as the film's audience.
As Bernadette de Rols, the wife seeking love and companionship, Nathalie Baye is superb; while a large and talented cast give flesh to the remaining characters. I defy anyone to see this adaptation and not be moved by it; try and see in the cinema, where it undoubtedly has more power than on a small screen; and avoid the version dubbed into English. 'Le Retour de Martin Guerre' need to survive with its language and poetry intact.