Danton (1983) User Reviews

Historic film about the struggles among two greatest figures of French revolution

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 19 April 2006]

The film tells upon the title role , Danton (Gerard Depardieu) , confronting Robespierre ( Wojciech Pszoniak ) during French revolution . The film is based on real deeds , they are the following : Danton(1759-1794) as lawyer participated in overthrowing of king Louis XVI and the proclamation of the Republic , being Minister of Justice in the Convention (1792)and founder of Cordeliers club . He proposed creation revolutionary committees as the Public Salvation Committee which he presided but was substituted by Robespierre , starting a period of revolutionary dictatorship known as ¨the Terror¨(1793) . Besides , in the film appears other historic personages as Camille Desmoulins (Patrice Chereau , nowadays a famed filmmaker ) , Louis David (the prestigious painter) , Saint Just (a famous Jacobino) , Tallien...

The picture especially narrates the happenings surrounding the facing off of the two main figures , one-time revolution partners , and their posterior fall and execution , though gives results a contemporary parable about the modern Poland , thus Danton is Lech Walesa , the leader of syndicate named Solidarity and Robespierre is Wojciech Jaruzelski who was the Prime Minister who imposed the martial law in Poland . Gerard Depardieu is excellent in the title character and magnificently portrayed , also in secondary roles turn up awesome actors as the recently deceased Jacques Villeret ( Dinner game,Crimen in paradise ) and Angela Winkler ( The tin drum ). The motion picture is well directed by Andrzej Wajda , justly considered the best Polish director . The flick will appeal to historical cinema buffs and Gerad Depardieu fans .

Depardieu was born to play Danton

[Igenlode Wordsmith · 8/10 · 24 May 2008]

If there were two parts that the physically towering, ugly-charismatic actor Gérard Depardieu was born, as a Frenchman, to play, it must surely have been Cyrano de Bergerac and the orator Georges Danton. Here he dominates the film both through the breadth of his shoulders and the power of his voice; his charisma carries the part despite the fact that it is made clear that the character has as much blood on his hands as any of the rest of them. Danton feasts while the people of Paris starve... but he is the one man who can challenge the tyranny imposed by the dreaded Committee of Public Safety in the name of 'freedom', and he is presented as the hero of the film -- despite the fact that the source play practically idolises his opponent Robespierre!

For those who know the characters from history, there is interest to be had in identifying the minor parts: the frog-faced Tallien, Couthon the cripple, Fouquier-Tinville the tribunal's prosecutor, the dashing fop St-Just, the epic painter David. But the script cuts little slack in this respect; names are often late in coming if minor characters are identified at all, and there is no Hollywood-style 'info-dump' to make sure that the audience can place events in their historical context. The film takes it for granted that you know what has gone before, and what will happen after -- sometimes it takes too much for granted, as when it relies on a close knowledge of dates to provide the sting to its tail in the fact that Robespierre followed Danton shortly to the scaffold.

Considered as a film, it's not entirely satisfactory in that it ebbs away towards the end. The structure of the story leads up to some great confrontation between the protagonists in the courtroom or some dramatic climax to the trial, which, thanks to history, never actually happens. Things just fizzle out: there is no revolt, there is no overthrow of tyranny, there is no assumption of power by the victor, there is no triumph on either side. It may be historically accurate, but it's not entirely satisfying as the outcome of a screen scenario -- it seems an odd place to stop. As others have commented, it might have been more logical to take events up to the end of the Terror and show in apposition the fall of Robespierre.

aside from a less than perfect ending, it's an excellent film

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 20 March 2006]

Danton was a hero and one of the founders of the French Revolution of 1789. This movie is set five years later and the revolution has morphed into something ugly. While initially the revolution promised freedom, at this point the small committee running the country is extremely repressive and is a dictatorship. Danton and his friends were angry at how the country wasn't better off in 1794 than it was BEFORE they got rid of their king, so they begin criticizing the government. The movie begins as the printer who makes critical pamphlets concerning the government is beaten and his business is destroyed. So much for "liberty, equality and fraternity"! So, as a result of being silenced this way, Danton et al begin publicly criticizing the government. Eventually, Robespierre (the leader of the committee) and his cronies trump up charges, have a show trial and get rid of the dissent. Some have mentioned that the Polish director, Wajda, also intended this to be a criticism of his own nation--which, at the time, was Soviet-dominated and very repressive as well. This makes sense as you see the movie unfold--especially when the government destroys all dissent "in the name of the people".

The acting is fine, the story compelling and I have no major criticism of the film. However, I really wish the ending had been handled differently. Especially because other than history lovers and French people, most probably have no idea that this execution helped to end the government. AFTER this purge of Danton in April 1794, Robespierre himself was executed in July 1794 because the country had just had enough--plus, those surviving Frenchmen knew that they, too, would face the guillotine sooner or later if this sick system remained in place. Some sort of an epilogue would have been nice--such as showing the soldiers coming for Robespierre. He responded by trying to kill himself first, but he only succeeded in blowing off part of his face--still alive, he was guillotined shortly afterward. This would have been a dandy little epilogue and could have been done in about five minutes. However, not showing a connection between Danton's death and the fall of the government is an odd thing to omit.

Wajda's French masterpiece

[ieaun · 9/10 · 9 November 1999]

Set in the 1794, the second year of the French republic formed after the execution of Louis XVI, this film portrays the power struggle between the revolutionary leaders Danton (Gerard Depardieu, at his finest) and Robespierre (a commanding performance by the Polish actor Wojciech Pszoniak). The moderate revolutionary Danton has returned to Paris from his country seat where he has been since being deposed as leader of the Committee of Public Safety in the previous year by Robespierre. He is opposed to "The Reign Of Terror" which has resulted in the executions of thousands of citizens, mainly by guillotine, who are thought to be opposed to the Revolution. Danton is confident of the support of the ordinary people and tries to persuade Robespierre to curb the bloodletting. But Robespierre and the Committee are afraid that the popularity of Danton will lead to them being overthrown, and put Danton and his supporters on trial for being traitors. This was the first French language film made by Andrzej Wajda after he had arrived in France from Poland. His Polish film company was closed down by the government due to his support for the Solidarity trade union, which had opposed the Polish government in the late seventies and early eighties. His previous film "Man Of Iron" (1981) had dealt with the Solidarity union and its leader Lech Walesa, and it is easy to draw comparisons between the relationship of Walesa and the Polish leader General Jaruselski, and that between Danton and Robespierre. Danton/Walesa are the voice of reason opposed to Robespierre/Jaruselski who continue dictatorial rule despite having lost the support of the people they claim to represent. The film is based on the Polish play "The Danton Affair" written by Stanislawa Przybyszewska in the 1930s, and on its release the film was criticised by some for being static and theatrical. But what the film does is to concentrate on the behind-the-scenes meetings of the Committees and the scenes in the National Assembly and the courtroom rather than the activities on the streets of Paris.

The Terror

[lavean · 10/10 · 13 December 2001]

This is one of the best movies on the French Revolution ever produced. Being a person well versed in the the period I was amazed at the level of detail. The costumes are spot on. Even the detailed little day to day items such as ink wells, serving plates etc are all perfect. As an American living in France who has access to the sites in the movie through his membership in various historical associations such as the Napoleonic Alliance I can not over state how impressed I was with the visual accuracy of the film.

The dialogue where known is virtual quotations and the where not recorded is in character. I was extremely pleased with this movie and am disappointed that it is not out on DVD yet. This is how historical drama should be done. Must see....

Historically accurate film regarding the Reign of Terror

[Chuck-185 · 26 April 2000]

The last desperate days of Danton and the so-called Moderate faction of the French Revolution is given an excellent treatment by Polish director Andrzej Wajda. Wojciech Pszoniak is truly outstanding as the icily determined Robespierre and Gerard Depardieu brings the full-bodied Danton to life. The last scene in the film, when a child reads the "Rights of Man" proclamation to Robespierre, is an eerie omen for what will come next. For students of the Reign of Terror and anyone else interested in this volatile time in history, this movie is a must.

Georges And Max

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 3 August 2010]

Georges Danton is given a full blown and full blooded portrayal in the film Danton by Gerard Depardieu. Danton is a joint French/Polish production and it's interesting to see the French Revolution portrayed by someone other than in the English speaking world which is always so heavily influenced by the work of Thomas Carlyle and the Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

I don't want to write anything like a mini-Carlyle so I won't give you a whole history of the French Revolution. Let's say that as this film opens what is commonly referred to as the Terror is in full swing as the Revolution gorges itself on blood for real or imagined slights. The two guys responsible for bringing it to where it is in 1794 are Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre.

Robespierre is at the height of his power now and like most tyrants in the making confuses his own political survival with the principles for which the cause he espouses was started. As his rivals and potential rivals keep being denounced and keep going to the guillotine, there is only one man whose voice can make a difference, Robespierre's former colleague Georges Danton.

These guys are as opposite in character as you can get. Danton is a lusty and hard living man who takes his earthly pleasures in great quantity and that's how Gerard Depardieu plays him. Polish actor Wojcieck Pszoniak plays Robespierre one of the creepiest human beings to attain power in any country in history. Cold-blooded and aesthetic he's merciless in his drive for total control of France and sees himself on some divine mission. Kind of like Osama Bin Laden.

Danton would be surprised at how the film shows him going almost Christlike to his eventual doom. I'm sure that's not how he saw himself, still Depardieu and Pszoniak are remarkable in their work.

Danton the film if not accurate history is an interesting interpretation of some very important history.

Very strong

[MarioB · 9/10 · 6 July 2000]

French cinema had always been very strong when comes the time to present historical subjects. 95 % of the time, they never make errors. This film is of one of the best of the genre, due to very very strong acting by Depardieu and Pszoniak. Wajda work, as the director, is truly a wonder. Everyone should see this great film.

Factually weak, emotionally strong

[margaretcarpenterr · 7/10 · 27 November 2017]

I think this film was designed specifically to snap my heartstrings one by one. The dialogue was fantastic, the figures of the Revolution captivatingly presented. There are a few factual errors and much is omitted due to the film's narrow focus, (for instance, the considerable role played by the East India Company scandal in the proceedings was hardly mentioned) but it remains an excellent piece of production. The viewer would benefit from prior knowledge of the Revolution, though it is not necessary to enjoy the drama of the story. If you are looking for total accuracy do not watch this film, but if you are only seeking a couple hours of fascinating historical drama, look no further.

shattering political drama, and even more relevant now

[mjneu59 · 9/10 · 12 November 2010]

The bloody aftermath of the French Revolution is brought to vivid life in the confrontation between its two architects, Maximillian Robespierre and Georges Danton, progressive thinkers in a primitive age who became bitter adversaries when Robespierre elevated the good of the State over the good of the people. Rarely have such provocative ideas been expressed with such bold, physical vitality; director Andrzej Wajda captures the anarchy of the period with powerful immediacy, showing how absolute power corrupts even the most honorable intentions. Gerard Depardieu's angry, overt performance in the title role is worth singling out; the film might well have been named after the doomed statesman Robespierre, who holds center stage throughout, but his icy intellect is no match, at least theatrically, for Danton's oratory passion (and besides, Depardieu is a star). Neither character survives the conflict, and when Danton is finally executed the bloody guillotine becomes symbolic not only of the Reign of Terror, but of the Revolution's most noble ideas severed at their source.

Not Wajda's best...tsk tsk tsk

[pipeoxide · 7/10 · 13 March 2003]

I was very curious to see this Wajda-Depardieu outing, plus the time period is definitely fascinating. Being a Wajda fan, I was disappointed, and that may be an understatement. The film never really took cinematic flight -- there's no foundation for the animosity between Danton and Robespierre, etc.

Basically, the script was weak (adapted from "The Danton Affair"). And yet, the direction was masterful...it's Wajda, afterall! Also, there were some amazing actors BUT they never really grab the audience's attention like they should. Depardieu comes off as a quasi-goofy, nonchalant Danton...not exactly the image we have in mind. Woijech Pzsoniak is incredible, as usual, but again the script puts up limits even actors of great talent can't break down. Andrzej Seweryn and Bogoslaw Linda pop up ... as Bourdon and Saint-Just...and if you're familiar with Wajda, then you'd know them.

Overall, I was disappointed with this much-lauded film. Great cast, great director, but no quality foundation. Bad, undynamic script. We need to get in Danton (Walesa) and Robespierre's (General J) mindsets... what are their motivations? Eh...who knows? One likes women, the other powders himself? Riiight. Ok, so if you're looking for a great French Revolution movie I HIGHLY recommend "La Revolution Francaise"...it's in two parts and oh-so-great! Excellent performances, in-depth script, juicy tid bits...definitely a satisfying experience!! Klaus-Maria Brandauer is a much better Danton than Depardieu...the wonderful Andrzej Seweryn apparently took some notes from "Danton" and is BRILLIANT as Robespierre. SEE IT! NOW! As for Wajda fans -- you're better off with "Man of Iron/Marble", "Promised Land", and the like. Cheers!!

" Article four: Freedom is the right to do anything, not harmful to others "

[thinker1691 · 9/10 · 24 May 2010]

'They are a very intelligent people, the French'. So says author Boris Pasternak, in his novel, Dr. Zhivago. After watching this movie called " Danton " one would tend to agree. A study in French History will illustrate how closely this film comes to duplicating it. The story is taken from the first five years after the nightmarish 1589 revolution in France which consumed the lives of thousands of Aristocrates and their supporters. Danton (Gérard Depardieu) has returned from his countryside estate to meet with his old friend Robespierre (Wojciech Pszoniak). It seems word has reached Danton that the Committee system, or more precisely, the Safety committee, in Paris has become lethal to the very people it's suppose to protect. Despite, their long friendship, differences of political opinion soon make it apparent the deadly revolution with its connection to the Guliotine, will soon destroy their goals, promises and even their lives. The dramatic acting in the movie between the principal actors and their ardent followers, is superb. Indeed, the devious plots, counter plots and murderous intentions of all involved is designed to unearth history from deep within it's bloodiest pages.****

Static Yet an Interesting History Lesson

[bkrauser-81-311064 · 7/10 · 30 January 2014]

I'll be the first to admit I am far from an expert on the French Revolution. While my minor in college was history and I read regularly on the subject, the dismaying period of upheaval and chaos doesn't fit into the narrative of clean-cut history defined by the reigns of Kings and the administrations of Presidents. What I do know about it are the basic causes, the main factions and the end result. I am familiar with the names Maximillian Robespierre, Jean-Paul Marat, Louis XVI and Jean-Jacques Rousseau but I have never heard the name of Georges Danton. If I were to take a class on the subject I'd probably fail.

It is the year 1793; the second year of the Republic and the infamous days of terror are in full swing. Danton, who is portrayed in the film by French actor Gerard Depardieu, makes his way into Paris to take his seat in the fractured General Assembly. His possible political machinations frighten the Revolutionary Tribunal headed by the cautious Robespierre played by Polish actor Wojciech Pszoniak. They all want to place his head promptly on the chopping block but Robespierre demands an audience with Danton first.

Directed by Polish auteur Andrzej Wajda, Danton (1983) is a crash course in Republicanism run amok. Robespierre looks to create consensus between Danton's rival faction and the Tribunal. He doesn't like Danton but he understands his value as a man of the people and therefore is hesitant to simply round up his allies and take them to the guillotine. Yet the clanking machine he and Danton helped create is forcing him to take severe action to provide order. At one point in the film Robespierre laments no matter what course he takes, the revolution is dead.

Depardieu's Danton is a boisterous foil to Robespierre's uptight revolutionary zeal. When he speaks, the whole room listens and his public bloviating is tempered by a genuine need for good. Yet Danton isn't a blind idealist like he claims the Tribunal to be. "People want peace, stability and bread, they don't care where it comes from," he mutters. He trusts the people of France to deliver him from execution and holds on to that ideal until the bitter end.

The film's depiction of the reign of terror was meant to mimic the Solidarity trade-union struggle in Poland happening around the same time as the film's release. Solidarity was the first non-party controlled trade union in the Soviet block and was instrumental in spearheading free and fair elections in Poland. The foibles of that struggle were better highlighted in Wajda's earlier film Man of Iron (1981). Yet that film was released on the cusp of the martial law crackdown while Danton was released on the tale end of said crackdown. During that time Wajda fled to France after his production company in Poland had been pushed into bankruptcy by the Communist party. He directed two films before returning, the first was Danton and the second was A Love in Germany (1983).

Unfortunately while Wajda's passion and personal bias are prevalent in Danton, his technique seems less assured than Man of Iron or his other political works. Part of it may have to do with his habit of employing Polish cinematographers including the famed Edward Klosinski. Outside his element in France, his cinematographer Igor Luther (Who also worked on A Love in Germany) likely wasn't on his wavelength.

What results is an interesting history lesson and a lively discussion on political theory but a film that feels static and overly talkative. It provides little action or intensity and apart from the gravitas of Depardieu and Pszoniak, there's nothing holding it together. Even if you were to settle for an old-school cloak and dagger flick, Danton only delivers on the bare necessities. There are political maneuverings, alliances forged then displaced, etc. But it's all C+ work put together by an A+ director. As for the subversive elements that define this political drama? Let's just say it needs improvement.

https://www.theyservepopcorninhell.blogspot.com

Excellent Acting in a movie full of historical mistakes

[pierrealix-3 · 4/10 · 6 May 2020]

I've read that Wajda made this flick as a metaphor of the Polish disctatorship May be it is but as a french historian i could not care less....what struck me is the complete lack of truth in this film....it is crystal clear that Wajda has never studied his subject (much complicated i must say) and repeats brillantley all the lies told about the leaders of the French Revolution No Danton was not a man of moderation...he was a blood-thirsty hard liner who endorsed the slaughter of the swiss gard in august 92 ...the month after he refused as minister of the Justice to stop the massacres in the french jails which made about 1500 victims including 200 proests He was also corrupted in the worst way possible receiving money from England ....It is when Robespierre prevented him of stealing army funds that he became his worst ennemy.....when he says in the movie "I am the people of France" it is just a big joke...he is the imperialist bourgeoisie representative pushing the war on in order to loot he victims and to get rid of the violent mob who never saw much of the benefits of the revolution Robespierre pictured as the bad guy was actually was vehemently attacked because of his probity for himself as well as for France (his nickname was and still is "the incorrptible")...because he wanted to end the slavery ...and the us of a ceiling price for the bread ....all those decisions infuriated of course the upper class who evetually killed him ithout a trial.....a superhighway was then opened up for the wholly corrupt Directoire and for...Napoleon Bonaparte Everything else in the film is first class....Ceratinly Depardieu best movie..

Let the good films roll- vive Wojciech & Depardieu!

[dr_salter · 19 April 2005]

I have read the pro & con reviews and wonder too about the cold disparaging comments of Manicheus? Why not let your students watch a movie and choose for themselves? I felt this was a well presented, well acted and well scripted film that told the story about a confusing time in history. It was a time when Britain was sending its criminals to begin a colony in Australia and the Enlightenment had reached its height.

The French Revolution was a pivotal time in Europe's history and I realized that as the film unfolded, I was learning about the emotions and its inner workings of these great names- Danton and Robespierre. Robespierre was as desperate and dedicated to the Republic as any Fascist was to Franco's bloody vision for Spain.

Robespierre's character showed his dedication to his ideals while being torn by moral considerations of stopping Danton by sending him and his friends to the guillotine... and it was this sense of being treated like I was intelligent that held my attention.

I have often wondered about the French Revolution and the vying of the factions, and the violence of the guillotine... but the Hollywood versions make it a mindless bloodbath while Wojciech & Depardieu have brought some humanity and reasoning to the whole period. I am only grateful that I could see it on the big screen at a free showing at my local Art Gallery in Sydney, Australia.

Twenty years ahead of its time

[HotToastyRag · 8/10 · 16 August 2019]

If you don't know who Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre are, you'll be enormously entertained and educated by the 1983 epic Danton. If you know this period of history well, you'll know how this movie ends, but you'll still be entertained. This movie is incredible, even more so when you remind yourself when it was made. It doesn't feel like a 1980s movie. If the time stamp was 1993 or 2003, I would absolutely believe it. It doesn't feel ultra-modern, since most movies nowadays over-use the handheld technique, even in period pieces when it feels jarring. This feels like director Andrzej Wajda snuck a camera into a time machine and travelled back in time to the 1700s. It's very realistic without any modern gadgets to remind viewers they're watching a movie rather than a documentary. Wajda's directing is incredible, making this movie a true classic that stands the test of time nearly forty years later.

A very interesting choice of casting is the French vs. Polish aspect. All the "bad guys", headed by Wojciech Pszoniak as Robespierre, are Polish and speak Polish. All the "good guys", headed by Gérard Depardieu as Danton, are French and speak French. When the movie was released in Poland, the French actors were dubbed, and when the movie was released in France, the Polish actors were dubbed. Using a language barrier adds to the tension of the film; the two opposing sides literally aren't speaking the same language!

The huge shift in Gérard Depardieu's career from the 1970s to the 1980s can be marked, of course, by his César win for Best Actor in The Last Metro. It was such a shock to see him in a serious movie! As the 1980s progressed, he was given a slew of serious dramas to show off his new acting chops, and if anyone had any doubt as to his talent, Danton made it clear: Gérard Depardieu is here to stay. Pick any one of the near-dozen epics he made in the decade and you'll find a fantastic performance. In this one, he's larger-than-life, boisterous, passionate, rebellious, and unafraid. He's magnetic and confident in his star power, telling the audience that he was just storing all this talent up in the previous decade, waiting for roles that were worthy of him.

Wojciech Pszoniak also gives an incredible performance, fleshing out his character into a real person rather than a stereotypical villain. The lengthy courtroom scene is so great to watch, as both give their exhausting and passionate arguments. The only warning I have for this movie is the gore. If you have a sensitive stomach, like yours truly, you'll know when to look away, and I suggest you do so. I've seen still pictures and I'm extremely glad I closed my eyes.

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to gory violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

History brought to life

[zetes · 9/10 · 2 May 2010]

Incredibly detailed account of post-Revolution France. Gerard Depardieu is Georges Danton, an aristocrat whose actions and plots led to the king being dethroned. Robespierre led the government afterward with his infamous Reign of Terror. He distrusts Danton, whose lifestyle and ideas are contrary to his own, but he's afraid that if he executes the man, he will enrage the people of France, whom he believes he's serving. The film is mostly dialogue, but it's incredibly gripping. I've never felt one way or another about Gerard Depardieu - I can confidently say he's never ruined a film for me, but I can't remember particularly loving him in anything either. But, holy freaking cow, he is brilliant here. It's just an energetic, powerful performance. Wojciech Pszoniak is also great as Robespierre. He and his cronies are all played by Polish actors dubbed into French (which was noticeable even though I don't speak French). In fact, the entire cast is exquisite. Director Patrice Chereau and German actress Angela Winkler also have nice, big roles. I've never liked anything else I've seen from Wajda, but this is a near masterpiece. He evokes the period beautifully without being too obvious about it. To him, it's not about the costumes or sets, but the people inhabiting them.

Well Made but Boring

[akoaytao1234 · 6/10 · 16 February 2023]

A history buff in me put me into watching this film.

Set in the height of the French revolution, it is about Danton and Robespierre as we go through their mindset in what they believe would be for the better future of France, with one falling behind. Not included in the film is what is to come of Robespierre's actions.

Personally, my biggest criticism of the film is that it lacks tension and is paced to evenly. Even with all the ruckus that went down during the revolution, you would thought that it would result into a compelling film but it just did not. I wished that it was tighter and build tension to show the dire times that Danton was feeling, but alas it went too sublime.

But I just want to just give kudos to the film's visuals. It is just great. Wazjda (sp?) painterly depiction of the French Courts, Apartments and the overall Revolution is up there with the greatest films visually. It is just so precise and crisp. Just wished the story was also up to par.

I could see why people liked it BUT left me quite hanging.

solidarity

[boarboy2001 · 9/10 · 13 April 2005]

This film is more than the story of Danton. It was a joint Polish French production filmed at the time of the beginning of the end of the Soviet system. It probably helped spur the Solidarity movement's union activity. It is more about Poland in the 20th century than the French Revolution. Solidarity began the end of the system. This film itself is historical by it's very existence....the rest is History.

Robspiere, aka. totalitarian leaders. Danton, aka. Walensa. When one watches this film, one must remember the snowball which began in Poland.

Actually, it could be useful for seeing the superpower struggle within the only superpower left.

A Tale of Two Movies

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 6/10 · 15 May 2018]

The top-shelf movie is made up of scenes between the two principals. The Polish lead is as good a performance as I've seen in a long time. Dippy-do was speaking French so he didn't drive me nuts like he does when he's in English-speaking movies. The lower-shelf bowl of hambone soup is when everyone else has aline of dialogue, spoken earnestly, often in wild-eyed shouts. Plays like a high-school drama club performance of That Wacky Wacky French Revolution. Lots of thought-provoking things here, and it looks great, but too many sub-par actors to pull it off.

The two most important men in the Revolution

[rawisnwo · 9/10 · 17 April 2023]

This film recaps dramatically one of the most important parts of the revolution. Prior to 1794, Danton and Robespierre had been friends and political Allies. Danton led the Paris commune with the sans-culottes whereas Robespierre was undisputed leader of the left wing jacobin club. Both were members of the Montegnard and used populism to push out rival factions like the girodins and to execute the former king Louis XVI.

Personally, the two men were total opposites in demeanor. Danton was a tad cliché as a Frenchman who loved his women and wine as much as a party. Whereas Robespierre was a workoholic prude who put his virtuous man into practice by obstaining from luxury or even marriage to live as a sort of civil servant monk.

Soon after their victories within the French state, many plots unraveled to sour the two men politically. Danton stepped down from the Commitee of Public Safety right as the reign of terror started bubbling over in French society. Robespierre entered the committee and became the leader, although the other members were just as guilty for the crimes of the terror.

The film begins right as Danton had returned to Paris to reenter politics. He finds however his position has been considerably weakened and cannot see eye-to-eye with Robespierre's vision. There is little trust between the two; Danton sees Robespierre as uncompromising and tyrannical; Robespierre sees Danton as corrupt and a potential dictator himself with his populist appeal. The two attempt to reconcile to no avail.

This is the interesting aspect of the film is the reality of these two heroes of the revolution going from friends to enemies. A very poignant scene occurs when Danton is received by adorning crowds as he exited his carriage while Robespierre is looking down from the third floor of his Paris apartment.

As the committee of public safety debates arresting Danton, Robespierre remains on-the-fence. As rumors, accusations of corruption and counter-revolution circulation Paris, Robespierre makes a final plea to Danton and later Desmoulins. Neither are receptive, however.

Finally Robespierre, seeing his own downfall in the decision, agrees to the arrest. A show trial hastily proceeds to the predetermined verdict. Danton then meets madame la guillotine.

The consequences and lessons from the first French republic are still extremely relevant to today. Wealth inequality, justice, virtue, terror, despotism, the role of government and many other aspects of the revolution began as seeds here in the practical (and in the theoretical in the enlightenment). Unlike the American revolution that also bore from out of the enlightenment, the French state was already politically heterogeneous and misgovernment and stagnation had left deep wounds within the nation. This film captures some of the lost promise of that revolution and how it imploded. Highly recommended film.

Easy on the eyes but not always on the mind.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 8/10 · 16 May 2009]

This is a great movie to look at, since it so nicely directed by Andrzej Wajda but at the same time I wished the movie would had some more depth in it, in terms of its story. It's an historically relevant movie about the last days of the French revolution but yet the movie forgets to focus on the character's motivations making the movie perhaps a tad bit too shallow to consider this a brilliant and relevant movie to what.

Somehow it doesn't make the movie any less great to watch though. It's made with passion and eye for detail. every aspect about the movie is good looking, such as its settings, costumes and camera-work.

Also the story still works out as powerful, though at the same time it could had been so much better and more powerful with a just bit more character development and insight historical information. Guess if you're completely familiar with the French Revolution and the stories of Danton and Robespierre in particular, this movie will be a perfect one for you to watch.

It's somewhat typical for a French movie to tell a story slowly and subtle, without ever stepping too much in detail. Often this works out charmingly but in this case the movie could had really done with a bit more depth. Other than that, this movie is still one fine example of French cinema, despite the fact that it's being directed by a Polish director and stars lots of Polish actors in it as well.

Gérard Depardieu is great in his role, though the movie also decides to concentrate a lot on many other different characters. The movie perhaps has a bit too many characters but each and every performance is a great one, so this doesn't really ever become a big complaint, other than that it slows done the story a bit at certain points.

A great movie that could had been brilliant.

8/10

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There is no justice because that is made by men full of limits ...

[Chinesevil · 4/10 · 4 April 2022]

The movie would seem complex and with an exceptional story to tell, but in reality, it is a constant lament and an incessant political platform.

Extremely boring, monothematic film that makes us understand human injustice, political arrogance without good cinematography and without any involvement of great ideas or great emotions.

About sense in gray time

[Vincentiu · 4 March 2012]

a parable. about dictatorship and its colors. about people as crumbs of a lunch. a manifesto for freedom from a Polish director for who a play is perfect instrument to discover a regime behind its masks. Danton is a beautiful movie but in great measure it is a profound analysis. French Revolution is not an excuse for present realities from Jaruzelski regime but way to remember the root of all Communism sins. Danton may be Trotski, prey of spider web who he build it. Robespierre - just piece of a huge machine. the fake image is only protection. the lies about people needs - only form to survive. so, the film is, in great measure, collection of symbols. the revolution - picture of a demon out of any measure. and, in this case, purpose is not to create an impressive work but to give the dimension of truth. history is only vehicle for ideas. because this revolution, ambiguous, cruel, chaotic, cynical, criminal is more than chapter of Modern time. it is shadow of each regime for who people are pieces on the chessboard. and subjects for experiments.

good movie but with no background information

[r-c-s · 8/10 · 7 September 2008]

Unlike http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098238/ this movie provides no background information. We are shown a snapshot of the fall of Danton, his mock process and execution but, unless one studied the revolution quite extensively, it is difficult to understand where characters come from ( Fouquier-Tinville, Philippeau, Desmoulins, Robespierre... ) and thus to appreciate them for what they are: Danton and Joe Blobb could be the same person to the viewer. For example Robespierre & Desmoulins were close friends since their youth, and this explains how Robespierre acts. Those who know the facts, though, will easily orient themselves and appreciate this good movie with actors delivering solid acting, no useless subplots and good reconstruction of the times. Desmoulins and Danton are the best characters, but all do a good job, even the 'demented' Saint-Just portrayed as sort of psychopath. 'Terreur' was a period of massacres whose importance hasn't been fully documented and that -for the most part- were driven by ambition, greed and the settling of personal disputes, fed to ignorant sans-culottes as the next epochal step against tyranny.