Queen Margot (1994)
"La reine Margot" (original title)

Young Queen Margot finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage amidst a religious war between Catholics and Protestants. She hopes to escape with a new lover, but finds herself imprisoned by her powerful and ruthless family.

Director:

Patrice Chéreau

Writers:

Alexandre Dumas père (novel), Danièle Thompson (scenario & adaptation),

Stars:

Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Isabelle Adjani	...	Marguerite de Valois dite La Reine Margot
Daniel Auteuil	...	Henri de Navarre
Jean-Hugues Anglade	...	Charles IX
Vincent Perez	...	La Môle
Virna Lisi	...	Catherine de Médicis
Dominique Blanc	...	Henriette de Nevers
Pascal Greggory	...	Anjou
Claudio Amendola	...	Coconnas
Miguel Bosé	...	Guise (as Miguel Bosè)
Asia Argento	...	Charlotte of Sauve
Julien Rassam	...	Alençon
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Nançay
Jean-Claude Brialy	...	Coligny
Jean-Philippe Écoffey	...	Condé (as Jean-Philippe Ecoffey)
Albano Guaetta	...	Orthon

Storyline

The night of August 24, 1572, is known as the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. In France a religious war is raging. In order to impose peace a forced wedding is arranged between Margot de Valois, sister of the immature Catholic King Charles IX, and the Hugenot King Henri of Navarre. Catherine of Medici maintains her behind-the-scenes power by ordering assaults, poisonings, and instigations to incest.

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Plot Keywords:

protestant | catholic | massacre | marriage | king | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for nudity, strong sexuality, and for graphic scenes of massacre

Details

Country:

France Italy Germany

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

9 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Queen Margot

Filming Locations:

Basilique de Saint-Quentin, Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France

Box Office

Budget:

DEM 42,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$2,017,346 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Renn Productions, France 2 Cinéma, D.A. Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

162 min 139 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Patrice Chereau edited the original cut of the film (roughly 160 minutes) to a smaller 138 minutes for international release. This was due to a disappointing box-office performance in France and the criticism (by, among others, Variety critic Todd McCarthy) of the film as being too violent and often incoherent. The French press were scathing of this 'American censorship' (they described the film as having been 'given a face-lift' for American audiences) but the new version was defended by various French critics being both more coherent whilst also maintaining Chereau's artistic vision. The shorter cut was later released in France too, in the hopes of increasing the film's box-office takings.

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Goofs

In the scene where La Mole and Coconnas are being dragged, alive, from a cart full of dead people at a mass burial site, you can clearly see a 'dead body' in the background blink its eyes.

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Quotes

Le Cardinal: Henri de Bourbon, do you take Marguerite de Valois as your wife?
Henri: I do.
Le Cardinal: Marguerite de Valois, do you take Henri de Bourbon, King of Navarre, as your husband?
[there is a pause]
Le Cardinal: Marguerite de Valois, do you take... In the name of God, and His Holy Church, I join you in matrimony.

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Connections

Version of Koroleva Margo (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Elohi"
Performed by Ofra Haza
(Ofra Haza (as Haza) - Goran Bregovic (as Bregovic))

User Reviews

A breathtaking cinema!

In France in 1572,Queen Margot(brilliant Isabelle Adjani),a catholic,marries Henri of Navarre(Daniel Auteuil),a protestant,in an arranged marriage that neither wants.Two religious camps hate each other and the war is about to break out.The cinematography in "La Reine Margot" is amazing-it's dark and grainy,and the set design is very good! The acting is excellent-Adjani is really believable,it's also really nice to see Asia Argento,the daughter of famous Italian horror master Dario Argento in a small role!The film is packed with bloody scenes-there is a lot of violence,rape,sex,nasty throat slashings etc.-definitely not for the squeamish!A must-see!