The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)
"Le retour de Martin Guerre" (original title)

In medieval France, some villagers challenge a man's claim of identity when he (as he says) returns home from some time in the army.

Director:

Daniel Vigne

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière, Janet Lewis (novel),

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye, Maurice Barrier

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Arnaud de Tihl
Nathalie Baye	...	Bertrande de Rols
Maurice Barrier	...	Uncle Pierre Guerre
Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu	...	Martin Guerre
Isabelle Sadoyan	...	Catherine Boëre
Rose Thiéry	...	Raimonde de Rols
Chantal Deruaz	...	Jeanne
Maurice Jacquemont	...	Judge Rieux
Roger Planchon	...	Jean de Coras
Francis Arnaud
Philippe Babin	...	Jacques
Axel Bogousslavsky
Valérie Chassigneux	...	Guillemette
Neige Dolsky
Adrien Duquesne	...	Sanxi Guerre

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

france | medieval times | sixteenth century | impersonation | peasant | 

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Mystery | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

10 June 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Return of Martin Guerre

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dussault, France 3 (FR 3), Société Française de Production (SFP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a true story.

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

User Reviews

see in preference to Sommersby

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.