The Story of Adele H (1975)

Adèle Hugo's unrequited love for a lieutenant.

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

François Truffaut (screenplay), Jean Gruault (screenplay)

Stars:

Isabelle Adjani, Bruce Robinson, Sylvia Marriott

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Isabelle Adjani	...	Adèle Hugo
Bruce Robinson	...	Lt Albert Pinson
Sylvia Marriott	...	Mrs. Saunders
Joseph Blatchley	...	Mr. Whistler
Ivry Gitlis	...	Hypnotist
Louise Bourdet	...	Victor Hugo's servant
Cecil De Sausmarez	...	Mr. Lenoir
Ruben Dorey	...	Mr. Saunders
Clive Gillingham	...	Keaton
Roger Martin	...	Doctor Murdock
M. White	...	Colonel White (as Mr White)
Madame Louise	...	Madame Baa
Jean-Pierre Leursse	...	Black penpusher

Storyline

Halifax, 1863. A young woman, Miss Lewly, comes to Halifax to search for Lt Pinson, with whom she is madly in love. Actually, she is Adèle Hugo, the second daughter of the great French literary figure and statesman. The Lt Pinson does not answer to her love and makes her understand it is hopeless. But as her obsession grows she keeps chasing and harassing him. This film about passionate yet obsessive love and self-destruction is based upon the real diary of Adèle Hugo.

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Plot Keywords:

caribbean island | period drama | crying woman | woman dresses as a man | woman wears eyeglasses | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is based on true facts.

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Goofs

The hypnotist has a plant in the audience pretending to be a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which was not set up until a decade after the story's setting of 1863

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Quotes

Adèle Hugo: I'm your wife. Forever. We'll stay together until we die.

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Connections

Featured in You've Got Beautiful Stairs, You Know... (1986)

User Reviews

It Makes You Wonder

This is a period movie that takes place in the 1860s in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It concerns an unrequited love between Adele H., the daughter of Victor Hugo, and a member of the English military stationed there. It is directed by Francois Truffaut. At the film's beginning, there is some narration about the involvement of the French and British in the American Civil War, but the Civil War plays no part in the movie.

I enjoyed the feel of this film. French actress Isabelle Adjani superbly plays a woman whose love is rejected and who inches down a slippery slope to madness. The costumes and scenery ring true, and the movie conveys the feel of the Canadian Atlantic province. It was also interesting to learn this sidelight about Victor Hugo.

Most of all, I enjoyed this film because it raises the question of whether its main character is crazy to begin with or whether, being possessed of such a strong love, it was a natural progression to madness when it was rejected. It raises, but of course does not answer, what causes such a potent love to arise and what is the consequence of its extinguishment.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French English

Release Date:

8 October 1975 (France)

Also Known As:

The Story of Adele H

Filming Locations:

Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,206, 25 April 1999

Gross USA:

$509

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$509

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Artistes Associés, Les Films du Carrosse, Les Productions Artistes Associés

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1