The Horseman on the Roof (1995)

In a time of war and disease, a young officer gallantly tries to help a young woman find her husband.

Director:

Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Writers:

Jean Giono (novel), Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Stars:

Olivier Martinez, Juliette Binoche, Pierre Arditi

4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Juliette Binoche	...	Pauline de Théus
Olivier Martinez	...	Angelo Pardi
Pierre Arditi	...	Monsieur Peyrolle
François Cluzet	...	The Doctor
Jean Yanne	...	Le Colporteur
Claudio Amendola	...	Maggionari
Isabelle Carré	...	The Tutor
Carlo Cecchi	...	Giuseppe
Christiane Cohendy	...	Madame Peyrolle
Jacques Sereys	...	The old man
Nathalie Krebs	...	Madame Barthelemy
Laura Marinoni	...	Carla
Elisabeth Margoni	...	The farmer's wife
Yolande Moreau	...	Madame Rigoard
Christophe Odent	...	Monsieur Barthelemy

Storyline

In 1832, cholera ravages Provence (South of France). After several misadventures, Angelo, young Italian officer hunted by the Austrian secret police, meets Pauline de Theus, a young lady. After a second accidental meeting, both will start the search of Pauline's husband in a chaotic country.

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Plot Keywords:

austrian | police | provence | cholera | title same as book | 

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Taglines:

Their only chance for survival was each other.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Juliette Binoche: The Art of Being - Official Fansite

Country:

France

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

6 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Horseman on the Roof

Filming Locations:

Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,839,000, 12 July 1996

Gross USA:

$1,877,179, 21 July 1996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hachette Première, Canal+, Centre Européen Cinématographique Rhône-Alpes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Literary references in the movie include Ludovico Ariosto's "The Frenzy of Orlando" aka "The Raging Roland" (O: Orlando Furioso) by Ludovico Ariosto, a version of the legend of Tristan and Isolde is also read out. A copy of "Jerusalem Delivered" aka "The Liberation of Jerusalem" (O: La Gerusalemme liberata) by Torquato Tasso is lent to Angelo. The French author, poet and dramatist Victor Hugo is referenced in a conversation at a dinner table.

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Quotes

Angelo: Cholera avoids me like the plague.

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Connections

Referenced in 20 Dates (1998)

User Reviews

A noble effort...

It takes quite an amazing group of people to make a great epic. Aside from great source material, really all the components have to be superb, and it has to be put together in such a way that the viewer is not left wondering what happened to a decade (see: Queen Margot).

Most of the necessary pieces are here, but there is something missing, some element that keeps it from being a truly great film. It is certainly a good one, a movie that is worth seeing, and worth doing so on a big screen, thanks to its beautiful scenery between France and Italy. The stars are very watchable, and the story is tight enough to keep your attention throughout. Unlike many films of its genre, it is not overlong.

Ironically, I found myself comparing it to another Binoche epic, The English Patient, which made me wonder what was lacking in light of what I consider to be a finer film. In the end, it may be simply that the latter had a novel that was more compelling, or a lead (Fiennes) that was just more riveting.

The story is of two people fleeing the outbreak of cholera in early 19th century France. Angelo is attempting to return to his native Italy, to join the revolution, and Pauline is searching for something... They manage to aid each other's flight.

In the great tradition of French period epics, this is not the pinnacle, but it is near the upper echelon. It's worth a shot.