"Les liaisons dangereuses" (2003) TV mini-series

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Josée Dayan

Writers:

Choderlos de Laclos (novel)
Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (adaptation)

Release Date:

25 August 2003 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Updated adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' classic 18th Century tale of seduction, betrayal and revenge...

Plot Keywords:

1960s | Betrayal | Seduction | Voice Over Narration | Pregnancy

Cast

Catherine Deneuve	...	Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil
Rupert Everett	...	Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont
Nastassja Kinski	...	Madame Maria de Tourvel
Danielle Darrieux	...	Madame de Rosemonde
Leelee Sobieski	...	Cécile de Volanges
Andrzej Zulawski	...	Antoine Gercourt
Cyrille Thouvenin	...	Hugo / Ludovic
Françoise Brion	...	Madame Volanges
Tedi Papavrami	...	Raphael Danceny
Maria Belooussova	...	La pianiste de la fondation
Paolo Capisano	...	Me Plissu
Jacques Collard	...	Le médecin de la clinique
Guy Dangain	...	L'appariteur de la fondation
Sophie Hermelin	...	La secrétaire de la fondation
Emilie Lafarge	...	L'assistante du directeur polytechnique

Also Known As:

"Dangerous Liaisons" (USA)

Runtime:

Canada:203 min | France:252 min | Germany:182 min (2 parts) | USA:202 min (2 parts)

Country:

Canada | France | UK

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Angus, Scotland, UK

Company:

JLA Productions

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The series takes place in late-'5's - early-'60s, yet Maria has a modern phone with a keypad in her hotel room.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Dangerous Liaisons (1994) (TV)

nothing less than truly stunning

Shot in French, director Josee Dayan's `Les Liaisons Dangereuses' (2003) is the fifth film adaptation of the classic Choderlos de Laclos tale of amorality, deceit, revenge, betrayal, lust and love. In its extended 252 minute mini-tv series version, the film presents a reworked, coherent story reset into the 1960's. Because of awesome cinematography, a highly complementary musical score, and a first rate cast with superb performances from Catherine Deneuve, Rupert Everett, Nastassja Kinski, Leelee Sobieski and the supporting cast, `Les Liaisons Dangereuses' (2003) is a stellar integrated work that is candy for both the eye and the mind. All of the major characters have depth that is allowed to develop because of the mini-tv series format of 252 minutes (a lot longer than most films). This film is a rarity because it is entirely dialog driven. The editing is very tight and the film never drags. For mature audiences only, there is a look and feel to it that is absolutely riveting.

There are three dvd versions available: (1) in French with English subtitles, (2) English spoken by the actors, and (3) the definitive extended 3 dvd set in French with English subtitles and an interview with the director. (1) and (2) are truncated 200 minute versions with anamorphic transfers. I saw `Les Liaisons Dangereuses' (2003) on (3) and this is probably the dvd to watch because of its gorgeous anamorphic transfer in a European 2.35:1 aspect ratio, although it is listed as an anamorphic 1.78:1 aspect ratio. (3) is the extended version with a total run time of over 300 minutes, including a 50 minute director's interview.