In medieval France, young lawyer Richard Courtois leaves Paris for the simpler life in the country. However, he is soon drawn into amorous and political intrigues. At the same time, he is ...
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Title: The Advocate (1993)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Colin Firth | ... | Richard Courtois | |
| Ian Holm | ... | Albertus | |
| Donald Pleasence | ... | Pincheon | |
| Amina Annabi | ... | Samira | |
| Nicol Williamson | ... | Seigneur Jehan d'Auferre | |
| Michael Gough | ... | Magistrate Boniface | |
| Harriet Walter | ... | Jeannine Martin | |
| Jim Carter | ... | Mathieu | |
| Lysette Anthony | ... | Filette d'Auferre | |
| Sophie Dix | ... | Maria | |
| Vincent Grass | ... | Bailiff Labatier | |
| Elizabeth Spriggs | ... | Madame Langlois | |
 |
Raoul Delfosse | ... | Blind George |
| Justin Chadwick | ... | Gerard d'Auferre | |
|
|
Jean-Pierre Stewart | ... | Sheriff |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
In medieval France, young lawyer Richard Courtois leaves Paris for the simpler life in the country. However, he is soon drawn into amorous and political intrigues. At the same time, he is pushed to defend a pig, owned by the mysterious gypsy Samira. The pig has been arrested for the murder of a young boy. Written by Reid Gagle
Taglines:
When murder is the motive, seduction is the last defense.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
24 August 1994 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Advocate See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$30,892, 28 August 1994Gross USA:
$602,329Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$602,329Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Sound Mix:
Dolby SRColor:
Color (Rankcolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Richard Courtois: I can't stop thinking about them.
Albertius: Well, the Good Lord sent them to try us, and by Heaven he knew what he was doing.
[ducks underwater to cool off]
See more »
Written by Perrin D'Agincourt
Performed by the St. George's Canzona
Counter-tenor, Derek Harrison
Arranged by John Sothcott
Courtesy of CRD Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The dream sequence is based on an Hieronymous Bosch painting. See more »Goofs
In the epilogue crawl, the character name Mathieu is spelled once correctly, and in a subsequent paragraph as Mathiew. See more »Quotes
Albertius: [looking at women in the public baths] Ah, there are sweet beasts and smelly beasts... there's a sweet one.Richard Courtois: I can't stop thinking about them.
Albertius: Well, the Good Lord sent them to try us, and by Heaven he knew what he was doing.
[ducks underwater to cool off]
See more »
Alternate Versions
Originally rated NC-17 in the U.S., some sexually explicit material was cut to be re-rated R. See more »Soundtracks
Quant Voi en la Fin D'esteWritten by Perrin D'Agincourt
Performed by the St. George's Canzona
Counter-tenor, Derek Harrison
Arranged by John Sothcott
Courtesy of CRD Records
See more »
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This film gives what feels like a realistic depiction of the medieval europe described in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. This is a world where the priest seems to have slept with all the women in town, the main Inn in town is also a brothel, and an animal could be hung for sodomy.
Stepping into this mess is a city lawyer intent on finding some peace and quiet in the country -- think "Northern Exposure" set during the 1450's.
There are some funny bits and a lot more sex than I was prepared for. In addition to the fact that animals could be tried in court, other bits of history are thrown in. The plight of the Jews, influence of landowners, corruption of the church and spread of the plague are all thrown in making the film something of a greatest hits of 1450, and that is ultimately the problem. While the film is busily touching on so many issues, it fails to deeply address any single one to the level I would have liked.
Another problem with the film is that everyone seemed to be wearing costumes that had just arrived fresh from the drycleaners. I mean its the middle ages! People back had only 1 or 2 outfits in their wardrobe. They were dirty, but this film doesn't give any of that, and that reduces some of the realism. It just never felt like anything other than a bunch of actors playing dress up.
So, while I learned something from the film, the lack of real dramatic tension, and a feeling that everyone was a little too clean cut meant that the film never engrossed me enough for me to fall in love with it.
The concept is great though, and I was left feeling that if this movie got the same treatment as the current HBO series 'Deadwood', it would make a great TV series.