La veuve de Saint-Pierre (2000)

Director:

Patrice Leconte

Writers:

Claude Faraldo (writer)
Patrice Leconte (adaptation)

Release Date:

19 April 2000 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A true story of revenge and redemption, fear and forgiveness, and the true meaning of love.

Plot:

In a small French colony, a drunken man kills someone. While a guillotine is being shipped in, he changes, becoming a good and popular man.

Plot Keywords:

Guillotine | Island | Archipelago | Prison | Love

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Juliette Binoche	...	Pauline (Madame La)
Daniel Auteuil	...	Jean (The Captain)
Emir Kusturica	...	Ariel Neel Auguste
Michel Duchaussoy	...	The Governor
Philippe Magnan	...	President Venot
Christian Charmetant	...	Supply and Secretariat Officer
Philippe du Janerand	...	Customs Officer
Maurice Chevit	...	The Governor's Father
Catherine Lascault	...	La Malvilain
Ghyslain Tremblay	...	Monsieur Chevassus
Marc Béland	...	Soldier Loïc
Reynald Bouchard	...	Louis Ollivier
Yves Jacques	...	The Rear Admiral
Dominique Quesnel	...	The Proprietor
Anne-Marie Philipe	...	The Governor's Wife

Also Known As:

The Widow of Saint-Pierre (International: English title)
The Widow of St. Pierre (Canada: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for a scene of sexuality and brief violence.

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

France | Canada

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:12 | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | South Korea:18 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Fortress of Louisbourg, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company:

Cinémaginaire Inc.

Trivia:

'Alain Corneau' was to direct the film in 1997, but abandoned the production after disagreements with the films producers.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Neel is told he's strong enough to "ramer jusqu'au chez les Anglais", the English subtitles say "row over to Canada" rather than "row over to the English". This introduces an error: both the geography and the dialogue in other scenes make it clear that Newfoundland is meant, but Newfoundland wasn't part of Canada until 1949.

A GREAT, GRIPPING GRITTY FILM

You have to watch the odd foreign film such as this to understand just how far Hollywood has strayed from cinematic honesty. This is a simple, beautifully done, superbly acted piece of theatre set in one of the world's least known places, the fog shrouded French island of St. Pierre, off Newfoundland. It's a simple yet gripping film with an intriguing plot, almost a morality play. There is visceral human drama, much mystery and wonderful soul stirring pathos. And how nice to see a movie without the mandatory Hollywood happy ending. A well spent evening!