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

Featured in One Hundred and One Nights (1995)

User Reviews

Based on actual events

This isn't a comment on the actual quality of the movie itself, but rather a response to the number of postings which have suggested this movie is not an original concept.

I have some shocking news for you, but there really was a Martin Guerre. His court case in the mid-16th century is well documented in primary sources and this movie attempts to retell this story.

In 1983, historian Natalie Zemon Davis, who incidentally was originally involved with the film as an historical consultant, wrote a well received micro-history on the court case and it's outcome. (The Return of Martin Guerre - published by Harvard University Press, 1983)

This case was thought of as unusual even during the 16th century. So much so, that it became part of French folklore. Earlier Hollywood movies likely tapped into this folklore, when they penned similar stories.

So this film, rather than simply being another in a long line of similar movies, is the first to tackle the "original story". That being said, the movie is not perfect and strays from the facts a great deal. Natalie Zemon Davis, herself, states in her introduction to her book that she was troubled by the film's creative license with history.

Nevertheless, I recommend anyone to see this film yourself and make up your own mind. Better yet, read the book!