Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière (writer)
Jean-Paul Rappeneau (writer)

Release Date:

1 December 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | History | Romance

Plot:

Embarrassed by his large nose, a romantic poet/soldier romances his cousin by proxy.

Plot Keywords:

Nose | Letter | French | Poet | Costume Drama

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 29 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

Gérard Depardieu	...	Cyrano De Bergerac
Anne Brochet	...	Roxane
Vincent Perez	...	Christian de Neuvillette
Jacques Weber	...	Comte De Guiche
Roland Bertin	...	Ragueneau
Philippe Morier-Genoud	...	Le Bret
Pierre Maguelon	...	Carbon de Castel-Jaloux
Josiane Stoléru	...	The Duenna
Anatole Delalande	...	The Child
Alain Rimoux	...	The Father
Philippe Volter	...	Vicomte de Valvert
Jean-Marie Winling	...	Lignière
Louis Navarre	...	The Bore
Gabriel Monnet	...	Montfleury
François Marié	...	Bellerose

Runtime:

137 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | LC-Concept Digital Sound

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:U | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Abbaye de Fontenay, Montbard, Côte-d'Or, France

Company:

Caméra One

Trivia:

The title character was a real historical person. He was born in 1619 and was murdered in 1655. Although there is no real evidence that he actually could compose and recite a poem while dueling, and time his poem so that he could finish the poem and kill his opponent at the same time, he did write the earliest science-fiction books on record, two hundred-fifty years before Jules Verne wrote his. There is also no evidence that he ever wrote another man's love letters.

Quotes:

Cyrano: My life's work has been to prompt others and be forgotten. Remember that night when Christian came to your balcony? That moment sums up my life. While I was below in the shadows, others climbed up to kiss the sweet rose.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1991) (TV)

Best adaptation ever

I saw the first adaptation of Edmond Rostand's novel, the 1950 version with José Ferrer. Despite Ferrer's good acting, it had some things going against it. First it was in English, and the thing is that the whole play is written in verses that rhyme. Of course, you just cannot do that in English. Second, Rostand's story was seriously altered.

Now, with this version we finally get the real Cyrano de Bergerac, a man whose nose is as great as his courage and skill at sword play, his talent at writing beautiful love poetry, and his will to resist all temptation to become the servant of higher powers. We get to follow his adventures, to feel his wonderful love for beautiful Roxane, his attempt to win her love in ways that nobody would ever consider, and his struggle to keep the freedom of his spirit.

I admired the acting, the direction, the lighting, and the costumes. There is so much in this movie to applaud. But the best of it all is that it keeps so close to the original text. I read the play and I just couldn't believe how good this adaptation is. Watch this movie if you have the heart of both a lion and of a lover, and you can appreciate excellent French poetry.