Battle of the Brave (2004)

In the mid-18th Century, as England and France battle over control of Canada, an epic romance between a peasant woman and a trapper unfurls.

Director:

Jean Beaudin

Writer:

Pierre Billon

Stars:

Noémie Godin-Vigneau, David La Haye, Juliette Gosselin

2 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Noémie Godin-Vigneau	...	Marie-Loup Carignan
David La Haye	...	François le Gardeur
Juliette Gosselin	...	Young France Carignan
Sébastien Huberdeau	...	Xavier Maillard
Gérard Depardieu	...	Father Thomas Blondeau
Bianca Gervais	...	Acoona
Irène Jacob	...	Angélique de Roquebrune
Pierre Lebeau	...	Joseph Carignan
Vincent Perez	...	Intendant Le Bigot
Isabel Richer	...	France Carignan
Johanne-Marie Tremblay	...	Madeleine Carignan (as Johanne Marie Tremblay)
Tim Roth	...	William Pitt
Jason Isaacs	...	Général James Wolfe
Colm Meaney	...	Benjamin Franklin
Billy Merasty	...	Owashak (as William Merasty)

Storyline

Prejudice, perfidy, love, and bravery in Québec. In 1779, a priest on his deathbed receives a young woman. Flash back 20 years: Marie-Loup, an herb-dispensing peasant, falls for François, a man of property. The priest's perfidy and the treachery of a soldier separate the lovers and set in motion a chain of events leading to a death, a trial, and an execution. The action unfolds against a backdrop of England's take-over of French-Canada, the Church's manipulations to maintain spiritual hegemony, and the limited rights of woman and indigenous peoples. Watching it all is Marie-Loup's daughter, named France, who, when grown, is the dying priest's visitor in prelude and coda.

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Plot Keywords:

1700s | seven years' war | priest | peasant | france | 

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Taglines:

Rise. Unite. Fight.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Melenny Productions Inc [Canada] (French, English)

Country:

Canada UK France

Language:

English North American Indian French

Release Date:

20 July 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

Battle of the Brave

Filming Locations:

Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 27,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lions Gate Entertainment,Melenny Productions,UKFS

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Two versions of the film were shot simultaneously, an English language version titled 'Battle of the Brave' and a French language version titled 'Nouvelle-France'.

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Alternate Versions

Two versions of the film were shot simultaneously, an English language version titled 'Battle of the Brave' and a French language version titled 'Nouvelle-France'.

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Connections

Featured in Céline Dion: Ma Nouvelle-France (2004)

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Soundtracks

Ma Nouvelle-France
music by Patrick Doyle
lyrics by Luc Plamondon
sung by Céline Dion

User Reviews

What a waste..

It's really a shame to see so many talented people involved in what's happen to be a very waste of talents. The plot is cliché. The directing is too self conscious and the characters are almost caricatures. One of the most disappointing aspect of this film is Gerard Depardieu's performance in the English version (this movie was shot in french and English at the same time). Although he is one of the best actor in the film, he gives the worst performance of them all. I must say that Bianca Gervais come very close though...

On a more positive note I must say that the newcomer Juliette Gosselin gives an amazing performance in both version. Unfortunately that the only good thing I remember about this film...

By the way I must apologize for my not very good English...