The Horseman on the Roof (1995)
"Le hussard sur le toit" (original title)

In a time of war and disease, a young officer gallantly tries to help a young woman find her husband.

Director:

Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière, Nina Companeez,

Stars:

Juliette Binoche, Olivier Martinez, Pierre Arditi

4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Juliette Binoche	...	Pauline de Théus
Olivier Martinez	...	Angelo Pardi
Pierre Arditi	...	Monsieur Peyrolle
François Cluzet	...	The Doctor
Jean Yanne	...	Le Colporteur
Claudio Amendola	...	Maggionari
Isabelle Carré	...	The Tutor
Carlo Cecchi	...	Giuseppe
Christiane Cohendy	...	Madame Peyrolle
Jacques Sereys	...	The old man
Nathalie Krebs	...	Madame Barthelemy
Laura Marinoni	...	Carla
Elisabeth Margoni	...	The farmer's wife
Yolande Moreau	...	Madame Rigoard
Christophe Odent	...	Monsieur Barthelemy

Storyline

In 1832, cholera ravages Provence (South of France). After several misadventures, Angelo, young Italian officer hunted by the Austrian secret police, meets Pauline de Theus, a young lady. After a second accidental meeting, both will start the search of Pauline's husband in a chaotic country.

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Plot Keywords:

provence | police | austrian | cholera | cleansing by fire | 

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Taglines:

Their only chance for survival was each other.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of nudity

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

6 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Horseman on the Roof

Filming Locations:

Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$1,839,000 (USA) (12 July 1996)

Gross:

$1,877,179 (USA) (19 July 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hachette Première, Canal+, Centre Européen Cinématographique Rhône-Alpes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jean-Paul Rappeneauspent over a year searching for a suitable male lead. Olivier Martinez had to audition several times before he landed the part.

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Quotes

Angelo: Mother, you always wanted me to be more reckless. Today, you would have been proud of me.

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Connections

Referenced in Afula Express (1999)

User Reviews

Beautiful French scenery

This gorgeous movie was set in the cholera stricken period which wiped out the whole of Europe in 10 days. Juliette Binoche, in her pre-The English Patient role, was as gorgeous and subtle as ever. The thing about this movie though that it's billed as a romance but you don't see it anywhere but just hints of it and feel the sexual tensions between the 2 main characters. Rather disappointing for some but it's that exact same formula which makes it such a beautiful movie to watch. To top it off, it was filmed in the French countryside which is so breathtaking that you could just watch the movie for the cinematography alone. All in all, it's a superb movie in the tradition of finely crafted French costume dramas.