The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)

In medieval France, some villagers challenge a man's claim of identity when he (as he says) returns home from some time in the army.

Director:

Daniel Vigne

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière, Janet Lewis (novel)

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye, Maurice Barrier

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Arnaud de Tihl
Nathalie Baye	...	Bertrande de Rols
Maurice Barrier	...	Uncle Pierre Guerre
Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu	...	Martin Guerre
Isabelle Sadoyan	...	Catherine Boëre
Rose Thiéry	...	Raimonde de Rols
Chantal Deruaz	...	Jeanne
Maurice Jacquemont	...	Judge Rieux
Roger Planchon	...	Jean de Coras
Francis Arnaud
Philippe Babin	...	Jacques
Axel Bogousslavsky
Valérie Chassigneux	...	Guillemette
Neige Dolsky
Adrien Duquesne	...	Sanxi Guerre

Storyline

During the middle of the 16th century, Martin Guerre returns to his village in southwestern France, after being away in the war for almost a decade. The villagers who knew him as a young man suspect he is not Martin, but he seems to know all about his friends, his family and his wife, even the most unusual things. Is this man really Martin Guerre?

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Plot Keywords:

france | village | husband wife relationship | identity theft | 1550s | 

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Mystery | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

26 August 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Return of Martin Guerre

Filming Locations:

Balagué, Ariège, Midi-Pyrénées, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$261,868, 28 August 1983, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,382,482, 11 December 1983

Company Credits

Production Co:

S.F.P.C.,Production Marcel Dassault,France 3 (FR 3)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was originally announced in 1967 by British producer Joseph Janni . Stanley Mann was scripting.

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Connections

Referenced in Yes Man (2008)

User Reviews

a history seen through a 'humane' binocular

I always enjoy watching French movies, and this one's no exception. In my opinion, this is a very beautiful movie. I love the romance, and the great performances enhance it to the maximum effect. This drama is very well made that you feel emotionally helpless on the mercy of the director. You get involved up to the point that you expect (want) things to work out like you want them to be but you really can't predict what's going to happen next.

The film tells about a true 16th century story about a man Martin Guerre who comes back to his village and family after an eight-years leave to a war. Everybody's really happy that he's come back that nobody questions the changes or differences after that long eight years; until someday a vagabond says that he's not Martin Guerre. The villagers start to think the possibility that he may not be the man he claims to be.

For me the film is about our judgment, our perception, our interpretation, our motive. It's about adding a human value to the rules, ethics, customs, and law that hold our society together. Sometimes what's right is wrong and what's wrong is right. In other words, sometimes we're looking for a 'humane' solution. You'll understand what I mean after you watch this movie.

The casting is wonderful, especially the casting of Nathalie Baye as Martin's wife. Something in her eyes perfectly reflects her character's sad life. She's beautiful. I imagine it's going to be very hard not to sympathize with her. Just watch this movie. I hope you'll be touched and enjoy it as much as I did.