Chouans! (1988) User Reviews

French revolution in Brittany

[johnpierrepatrick · 5/10 · 7 June 2020]

De Broca makes with "Chouans" a historical movie about French revolution. However, not in Paris, but in Brittany, where 2 factions were opposed: republicans and royalists. A war went on, with terror and blood from both sides. History, if respected as a whole, is not however the backbone of this movie.

De Broca decided indeed to focus on one "family" composed of an earl and his son, a second son, adopted, and finally a daughter, also adopted and used that to show how you could end on one side due to circumstances. Of course both men are in love with the girl - Sophie Marceau, and their battle for the girl takes the main part of the movie. Noiret, as the earl, embodies at the same time the reason - refusing war and defending its people, and the dream - with its flying machines.

But despite these good intentions, none of the characters felt realistic enough. I guess Lambert Wilson's one is the most interesting one, emboying the 'Terror' of French revolution is the most interesting with its inner conflicts - and its walk towards abyss. Noiret's character is nice but stays too much 'out' of both the story and of history. Marceau is charming but seems to only have one mission in the movie: show her cleavage.

In conclusion, I went through the movie without passion and would have preferred more information about that specific time.

From the dusk of monarchy to the dawn of republic

[dbdumonteil · 6/10 · 8 July 2016]

SPOILERS

Adventure films and vibrant comedies were Philippe De Broca's specialty. Here "Chouans!" is to be pigeonholed in the first category. Set during a climactic moment in French history just after the French Revolution, it deals with two sons of a count (Philippe Noiret) who fight against each other. The first one is a partisan of the freshly new republic (Lambert Wilson) and wants to repel any rebellion against this new political scheme. The second one is on the aristocrats' side. Both also fight for the woman they love (Sophie Marceau). The squire who didn't want to be mingled with the political changes and the social turmoil that spreads in the country will fatally be caught up by the impending turn of events.

If several steps of the story may seem rough to you in their linking, blame it on a butchered editing. The original film (TV miniseries) clocked in at 4 hours but for evident commercial reasons, it was curtailed of one hour and a half. Hence a rough editing that gives a rather checkered film whose appeal is depleted. It's difficult sometimes to jump from one moment to another without any clear explanation or preparation to it like for instance when Marceau kills Wilson . This sequence comes at the most awkward moment and it's a little hard to swallow it.

But De Broca kept worthwhile elements. Lyricism that shrouds the film can be felt here, there and everywhere. Aesthetically, it's a refined piece of work with a clean cinematography, lavish costumes and lush scenery. Characters are highly well described, notably Philippe Noiret, a lucid, good-hearted earl who has faith in science. His witty cues command admiration. And one can admire the contrast between the high hopes following the birth of the Republic and the ruthless, violent means employed by its leaders, notably Lambert Wilson to suppress any rebellion, mostly from aristocrats.

Without this ill-fated editing, De Broca's piece of work could have taken its place in the restrained circle of the great French epics. It's acceptable stuff all the same but the filmmaker's finest films are chronologically behind him: "Cartouche" (1962), "l'Homme De Rio" (1964);his masterpiece will probably remain "Le Roi De Coeur" (1966)

10/10

[CKDexter-4 · 9/10 · 23 August 2000]

I simply love Philippe Noiret in this epic about the aftermaths of the French Revolution in a small rural town. He really dived into his role of the gentle, enlightened earl. His death is one of the most poignant movie-endings I ever saw. See beautiful Sophie Marceau in what might be her best performance ever. "Chouans!" shows how idyllic life in the country - where everybody tries to help his neighbour - is slowly destroyed by radicalism and fanaticism. A film to think about - but with plenty enough action, suspense and emotion. A clear 10/10.

love, swords and revolution

[dromasca · 8/10 · 30 August 2021]

The most memorable of the lead heroes of 'Chouans!', the 1988 historical movie directed by Philippe de Broca is Count Savinien de Kerfadec played by the formidable Philippe Noiret. A man of the Enlightenment, an inventor passionate about science and reason but refusing to give up his faith, he is a character full of life, wisdom and humanity, who dominates the story and the film. Dramas and revolutions take place around him and his life is not spared by tragedies starting with the death of his wife at the birth of his only son, which takes place in the opening scene of the film, but his attitude remains serene and positive even when the world around him falls apart and social conventions collapse. This positive approach radiates throughout the film and makes the viewing experience captivating and, unexpectedly, optimistic, although the film unabashedly covers one of the bloodiest and most controversial periods in French history - the years of revolutionary terror.

Unlike many other films dealing with the events of the fall of the Bastille and the years that followed, 'Chouans!' it takes place neither in Paris nor at Versailles, and the heroes of the film are neither kings nor leaders of the revolution. The episode described in the film takes place in 1793-94 and is less well known - it is about the revolt of three departments in Brittany against the revolutionary regime of terror that had executed Louis XVI, a popular revolt but one incited by the nobility and the clergy who had lost their properties and privileges. The deep fracture of the French society of the time passes through the family of the liberal count of Kerfadec and among the three young people raised from childhood under his tutelage - his son, the daughter adopted on the same night of his son's birth, and another young man adopted a little later, in his childhood. The two men will end belonging to the opposing political camps, and their romantic rivalry will intensify, becoming a relationship mixing brotherhood and hatred.

Philippe de Broca brings back to the screen something of the light and optimistic approach from his youth films ('Cartouche', 'That Man from Rio') and the chosen solution works unexpectedly well, mitigating the drama of historical or fictional events that are presented on screen. The bloody confrontation between the revolutionary and royalist camps almost turns into a series of 'cape and sword' confrontations. The idea of inventing flying machines a century or so in advance is unexpected, funny and well inserted into the story. Political satire spares none of the camps, and the feelings of the triangle of young lovers will inevitably be influenced by the crumbling down of the world around them. Philippe Noiret dominates the film in one of his most complex and solid roles from the peak period of his career. Sophie Marceau was just 21 when she filmed 'Chouans!' and her talent and beauty shine. The two rivals are played by Lambert Wilson and Stephane Freiss, very suitable for their respective roles. The only major problem of this production stems in my opinion from the fact that what we see on the big screen (and lasts over 2 hours and 20 minutes) is an abbreviated version of a 4-hour television mini-series. The result is that in some places there are missing connecting scenes that would have clarified details of the story, and some of the (quite numerous) supporting characters do not have enough screen time to develop and reveal themselves to the public. It would be interesting if a complete copy of the film was restored and screened in cinemas or on television, after all nowadays a duration of almost 4 hours is not as intimidating as it was over 30 years ago. 'Chouans!' it is not only an important landmark in the careers of the filmmakers and actors who participated in its production, but also a pleasant and interesting film to watch today.

Released in North America on NTSC VHS videotape......No DVD Release....

[marceaufilms · 10/10 · 8 January 2009]

This film was released on NTSC VHS videotape in North America by Compagnie France Film Distribution in 1989 with the French title..... CHOUANS!....It had a small distribution in Quebec and the French speaking areas of Eastern Canada and the northeastern USA....There is no DVD version......It was released in French Language with no English Subtitles.....It is no longer In Print and is rarely seen in French Canadian video stores.....the Ex-Rentals are generally poor quality and and the original tape has often been replaced.....Good luck in finding a good Copy........It was released with a French language jacket ......Directed by Philippe De Broca and stars Sophie Marceau, Philippe Noiret, Lambert Wilson, Stéphane Freiss....the run time of the North American release is 2 hours 31 minutes............"Sophie Marceau must choose between Lambert Wilson and Stephane Friess in this Historical Romantic Drama....Set In France, 1793, French Civil War......The Republican Army decimated Western France when an insurgence of peasants, clergy, and aristocrats loyal to the Royalists staged a counterrevolution." .....