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-Claude Carrière, Nina Companeez

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

Shot over a period of four and a half months in 50 different locations.

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Quotes

Angelo: My mother is a duchess who talks only of revolution.

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Connections

Referenced in Jersey Girl (2004)

User Reviews

Focus is genius.

I found this film to be excellent. Though I am a student of history, I really do not know all the details regarding this episode of the freeing of Italy from Austrian authoritarianism. Though interesting, the historical aspect of the movie was not that important to me. It was a highly enjoyable adventure film that could have been placed in lots of different historical times.

Besides being a great adventure film it masterfully dealt with a most wide range of emotions. There were many undertones and harmonics dealing with fear, desperation, horror, escape, passion, love, honor and divine, or natural, justice.

What was so fascinating to me was how the movie showed the power of freedom, courage and focus. The protagonist was raised by his mother (a most curiously powerful presence in this movie even though we never see or hear her)to be independent and freedom loving and this movie shows how strong and almost invincible this makes him because he believes it and lives it with all his heart. All around him the world is literally falling apart and going mad from fear and disease and yet, by neither railing against it nor taking on these thoughts, he triumphs with his will to live and being true to his own vision at all times.

And as an added bonus, the visual artistry of this movie, from the titles all the way to the end is beautiful to behold. The scenery, costumes, sets, actors, camera angles and etc. are all brilliantly satisfying. The movie was a joy to see.