Le bal (1983)

The 50 year story of a ballroom in France, from the 1920s. The people who go there is always the same, even the musicians. You can see all kind of people dancing all the fashion dances (... See full summary »

Director:

Ettore Scola

Writers:

Jean-Claude Penchenat (idea), Ruggero Maccari (screenplay),

Stars:

Étienne Guichard, Régis Bouquet, Francesco De Rosa

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Étienne Guichard	...	Le jeune étudiant de province / Le jeune professeur
Régis Bouquet	...	Le patron de la salle / Le paysan
Francesco De Rosa	...	Toni, le jeune serveur
Arnault LeCarpentier	...	Le jeune typographe / L'étudiant
Liliane Delval	...	La fille aux cheveux longs / L'alcoolique (as Liliane Léotard)
Martine Chauvin	...	La jeune fleuriste / L'étudiante
Danielle Rochard	...	La livreuse d'une modiste
Nani Noël	...	La fille de joie / La jeune juive / La refugiée / La jeune qui peint ses basses
Aziz Arbia	...	Le jeune ouvrier
Marc Berman	...	L'aristo / Le planqué / Le collaborationiste
Geneviève Rey-Penchenat	...	L'aristo
Michel van Speybroeck	...	L'homme qui vient de loin / Jean Gabin
Rossana Di Lorenzo	...	La dame-pipi
Michel Toty	...	L'ouvrier spécialisé
Raymonde Heudeline	...	L'ouvrière

Storyline

The 50 year story of a ballroom in France, from the 1920s. The people who go there is always the same, even the musicians. You can see all kind of people dancing all the fashion dances (depending on the age).

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Plot Keywords:

dance | dance hall | single set production | chanson

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Genres:

History | Musical

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Details

Country:

Italy France Algeria

Release Date:

21 December 1983 (France)

Also Known As:

El baile

Company Credits

Production Co:

Massfilm, Cinéproduction, Films A2

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Prevodachkata na cherno-beli filmi (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Et maintenant"
Written by Pierre Delanoë and Gilbert Bécaud

User Reviews

Shall We Dance?

A movie that carves its own niche in film history in the most delicate, ephemeral way imaginable. The cast is among the finest ensemble gatherings I have ever seen, and the combined efforts of all concerned seems to add up to far more than seems possible for what is basically a silent film. It reminds me a bit of the magical transformation Altman managed to create on the set of McCabe and Mrs. Miller, as if all the actors were put under the same spell, and responded to the challenge with a uniform brilliance.

The camera work in Le Bal is just as nuanced and evolved as the work of the actors, but it never feels forced or artificial. All of the actors I have seen in many other films, and they seem so much more self-aware than many of the actors you see in the states. There is a feeling from this film as if the actors themselves created it, for which the director deserves my highest praise. And the subtle way the film morphs from black and white to a hand tinted look to modern color throughout is also so masterful that you almost don't notice it.

This is NOT A FILM FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE DANCING!!! It is a film for people who like to watch an exquisite evolutionary process. I liken it to an orchid, in that you learn a special kind of patience from waiting for it to bloom, but the blooms are always worth the wait, and last in the mind forever. I pray that a behind the scenes DVD will be released soon, as do many others, and recommend this highly.