The Lady and the Duke (2001)

During the French Revolution, a Scottish aristocrat and her former lover, the Duke of Orleans, find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.

Director:

Éric Rohmer

Writers:

Grace Elliott (memoir "Ma vie sous la révolution"), Éric Rohmer (adaptation)

Stars:

Lucy Russell, Jean-Claude Dreyfus, Alain Libolt

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Claude Dreyfus	...	Le duc d'Orléans
Lucy Russell	...	Grace Elliott
Alain Libolt	...	Duc de Biron
Charlotte Véry	...	Pulcherie the Cook
Rosette	...	Fanchette
Léonard Cobiant	...	Champcenetz
François Marthouret	...	Dumouriez
Caroline Morin	...	Nanon
Héléna Dubiel	...	Madame Meyler
Laurent Le Doyen	...	Section Miromesnil: Officer
Georges Benoît	...	Section Miromesnil: President
Serge Wolfsperger	...	Section Miromesnil: Aide
Daniel Tarrare	...	Justin the Doorman
Marie Rivière	...	Madame Laurent
Michel Demierre	...	Chabot

Storyline

An episodic look at Grace Elliott (1760-1823) and Philippe, the Duke of Orleans, during the French Revolution. In 1790, they are friends, no longer lovers. He suggests she leave France, she warns him to quit the Revolution. In 1792, she must escape Paris on foot. Less than a month later, she returns on an errand of mercy and shows great courage saving the governor of Tuileries. The Duke in turn steps in to protect Grace. In early 1793, she demands a promise from the Duke that he vote to spare Louis's life; he does not, and Grace is furious. In April, he warns her of a search; she is arrested and brought before the committee. Orleans, too, is suspect. The guillotine awaits.

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Plot Keywords:

duke | revolution | orleans | french revolution | mercy | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics - trailer, synopsis, etc. (Flash) [United States]

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French

Release Date:

7 September 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

The Lady and the Duke

Filming Locations:

Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis, France

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 39,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,804, 12 May 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$329,845, 6 October 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Image Production, Compagnie Eric Rohmer (CER), KC Medien

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min 125 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chosen by "Les Cahiers du cinéma" (France) as one of the 10 best pictures of 2001 (#02)

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Connections

References The Far Country (1954)

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Soundtracks

Marche lugubre
Music by François-Joseph Gossec
Performed by La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy (as l'Orchestre de la Grande Ecurie & la Chambre du Roy)
Conducted by Jean-Claude Malgoire
Produced by Igor Kirkwood

User Reviews

Opinions

Recently I watched this movie with a friend. Our opinions differed. I kind of liked the film, despite the not so convincing background and long dialogues but my friend was completely and utterly bored. The plot is rather engaging however, and kept me watching it for two hours straight (and my friend an hour and a half before deciding she had had enough). There are some violent (but unrealistic) scenes, so if your history teacher recommends you to watch it and you have two hours to spare, then watch it. But you don't miss much from not watching it either. I didn't regret watching it like i did with some movies, so this movie is not that bad. At least it gave me some ideas about the period of the French Revolution.