Danton (1983)

In 1793, as the Terror begins in France, Georges Danton, a champion-of-the-people, returns to clash against Maximilien Robespierre and his extremist party.

Director:

Andrzej Wajda

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière (scenario), Stanislawa Przybyszewska (based on the play by: "L'Affaire Danton/Sprawa Dantona")

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Wojciech Pszoniak, Anne Alvaro

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 6 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Danton
Wojciech Pszoniak	...	Robespierre
Anne Alvaro	...	Éléonore Duplay
Roland Blanche	...	Lacroix
Patrice Chéreau	...	Camille Desmoulins (as Patrice Chereau)
Emmanuelle Debever	...	Louison Danton
Krzysztof Globisz	...	Amar
Ronald Guttman	...	Herman
Gérard Hardy	...	Tallien
Tadeusz Huk	...	Couthon
Stéphane Jobert	...	Panis
Marian Kociniak	...	Lindet
Marek Kondrat	...	Barère de Vieuzac
Boguslaw Linda	...	Saint Just
Alain Macé	...	Héron (as Alain Mace)

Storyline

Action opens in November of 1793, with Danton returning to Paris from his country retreat upon learning that the Committee for Public Safety, under Robespierre's incitement, has begun a series of massive executions, The Terror. Confident in the people's support, Danton clashes with his former ally, but calculating Robespierre soon rounds up Danton and his followers, tries them before a revolutionary tribunal and dipatches them to the guillotine.

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Plot Keywords:

boy frontal nudity | boy taking a bath | revolutionary | counter revolution | boy | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Back in the '30s, this was announced by WB as a vehicle for Errol Flynn and possibly Bette Davis.

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Goofs

At 2 hours and 6 minutes, the position of the sketch artist in the window is inconsistent between shots.

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Quotes

Danton: All exceptional people are above the masses.

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Crazy Credits

Anne Alvaro gets an "and introducing" credit ("et pour la première fois à l'écran").

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Alternate Versions

The dialogue in the dubbed version with American voice actors sometimes differs sharply from the original: for example, Robespierre's last words to Saint-Just are not the dismissive "Don't wake me when you leave" ("Ne me réveillez pas quand tu sortiras") but the prophetic "Whatever happens will happen soon" (so that, like Danton, he apparently realises he will shortly meet Danton's fate).

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Connections

Version of Les amours sous la Révolution: La passion de Camille et Lucile Desmoulins (1978)

User Reviews

powerful

its universal message about price of revolution, about power of a small group, about the way of good intentions, about people's interest as excuse for use the force for preserve the power . it is an amazing portrait of French Revolution. and Danton of Depardieu remains one of his greatest roles. but the axis is the vision of director. because the film is a parable in essence. because it is a film about Communism who represents just an ideological fruit of French Revolution. because Wajda knows the importance of testimony about the evil of a political system. because it is a honest work about illusion and ambition and need to control the power. in same measure, it is not only a manifesto but a beautiful movie who recreates more than atmosphere but the spirit of a fight for power. yes, France of Robespierre is Poland of Jaruzelski . but the science to transform a historical page in a contemporary event's reflection and the case of Poland in universal warning gives force and profound senses to this admirable film.

Details

Country:

France Poland

Language:

French

Release Date:

12 January 1983 (France)

Also Known As:

Danton

Filming Locations:

Jossigny, Seine-et-Marne, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont, TF1 Films Production, S.F.P.C.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1