Queen Margot (1994)

Young Queen Margot finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage amidst a religious war between Catholics and Protestants. She hopes to escape with a new lover, but finds herself imprisoned by her powerful and ruthless family.

Director:

Patrice Chéreau

Writers:

Alexandre Dumas (novel), Danièle Thompson (scenario & adaptation)

Stars:

Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Isabelle Adjani	...	Marguerite de Valois dite La Reine Margot
Daniel Auteuil	...	Henri de Navarre
Jean-Hugues Anglade	...	Charles IX
Vincent Perez	...	La Môle
Virna Lisi	...	Catherine de Médicis
Dominique Blanc	...	Henriette de Nevers
Pascal Greggory	...	Anjou
Claudio Amendola	...	Coconnas
Miguel Bosé	...	Guise (as Miguel Bosè)
Asia Argento	...	Charlotte of Sauve
Julien Rassam	...	Alençon
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Nançay
Jean-Claude Brialy	...	Coligny
Jean-Philippe Écoffey	...	Condé (as Jean-Philippe Ecoffey)
Albano Guaetta	...	Orthon

Storyline

The night of August 24, 1572, is known as the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. In France a religious war is raging. In order to impose peace a forced wedding is arranged between Margot de Valois, sister of the immature Catholic King Charles IX, and the Hugenot King Henri of Navarre. Catherine of Medici maintains her behind-the-scenes power by ordering assaults, poisonings, and instigations to incest.

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Plot Keywords:

protestant | massacre | king | valois | france | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for nudity, strong sexuality, and for graphic scenes of massacre

Details

Country:

France Italy Germany

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

9 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Queen Margot

Filming Locations:

Basilique de Saint-Quentin, Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France

Box Office

Budget:

DEM 42,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,190, 16 May 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,017,346

Company Credits

Production Co:

Renn Productions, France 2 Cinéma, D.A. Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

159 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene between Margot and La Mole, where they stand outdoors wrapped in nothing but a red cloak, was included for the American release even though it had not appeared in the original cut. The American distributors had insisted on the relationship between the two characters being more substantial (the romance was to become the focal point for the American marketing campaign).

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Goofs

In the scene where La Mole and Coconnas are being dragged, alive, from a cart full of dead people at a mass burial site, you can clearly see a 'dead body' in the background blink its eyes.

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Quotes

La Môle: Promise me something. They say death always took your lovers. They say you lock their hearts in gold boxes around your bed.
Margot: They do? What else? That at night, wearing a mask, I roam the city, looking for love?
La Môle: One day you'll know who you really are. Promise you won't forget me... the one you shouldn't have loved.
Margot: I promise.

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Connections

Featured in MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special (1995)

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Soundtracks

Elohi
Performed by Ofra Haza
(Ofra Haza (as Haza) - Goran Bregovic (as Bregovic))

User Reviews

A breathtaking cinema!

In France in 1572,Queen Margot(brilliant Isabelle Adjani),a catholic,marries Henri of Navarre(Daniel Auteuil),a protestant,in an arranged marriage that neither wants.Two religious camps hate each other and the war is about to break out.The cinematography in "La Reine Margot" is amazing-it's dark and grainy,and the set design is very good! The acting is excellent-Adjani is really believable,it's also really nice to see Asia Argento,the daughter of famous Italian horror master Dario Argento in a small role!The film is packed with bloody scenes-there is a lot of violence,rape,sex,nasty throat slashings etc.-definitely not for the squeamish!A must-see!