Un peuple et son roi

A rather good but a little flat historical and semi documentary drama about the French Revolution and the trial of king Louis the XVI. Then his death by guillotine. You have no really leads here, but a bunch of characters, some inspired by the actual ones. Good cacting, directing and also editing. This film is a little too short for such a topic. Mabe it would have been wiser to put more power, more energy in the characterization, more strength in the story telling. But that's my own opinion. Good guillotine scene, maybe the best ever on a screen.

An excellent film about the French Revolution which is addressed to connoisseurs of this historical period without the slightest didactic pretention. Very good actors (Denis Lavant plays a more than convincing Marat and Olivier Gourmet is masterful). One deplores however the presence of Izïa Higelin (probably parachuted thanks to the name of her father) whose acting is painful and lowers the general level until the saving disappearance of her character. The scenes that take place in the assembly are perfectly documented. I would advise to read a good book on the subject before watching this film for those who do not know this historical period well, because they might lose the thread soon enough.

A visual feast, if a little too 'clean', in its production design. As much as I enjoyed the view I was ultimately disappointed by this film. Where's the story to engage me? I tried to let that aspect take a back seat in hope that the directors vision/world view would become clear. It didn't appear. A juxtaposition of beautifully executed scenes (though overlit imo), does not make a gripping film. For the major finance behind this project it feels like a wasted opportunity.

Two hours for showing four years of the french bloody Revolution, Pierre Schoeller had to make some difficult choices : he decided to show the little people from the streets (having a stone in the belly) meeting and fighting the rich political figures (having how many roasts in the belly?). And most important, he shows women strongly speaking in assemblies. The casting is astounding, all the actors play with high energy and are possessed (Denis Lavant as Marat of course, and also Adèle Haenel unforgettable, and Laurent Lafitte as Louis XVI is imposing). The cinematography and editing are virtuoso (destruction of tower letting people from the streets having sun light, massacre of the Champ de Mars, execution of Louis XVI, ...). The original soundtrack is also attractive. I read in papers "Un Peuple et son Roi" is a failure, it's wrong, it's awful good, all the ending is gripping. Bravo, I wish success.

Historical film dealing with notorious events of French Revolution from Bastilla assault 1789 to king death : 1793 King Luis Capeto execution. These happenings full of tumults that shaked France brought the end of the ancient society or Ancien Régime and the birth of democracy and a regime of freedom and human rights . Including creation of the newly established Assemblée National, massacre at the camp of Mars , the National Convention 1792 , detention king in Varennes , his confinement in Palace of Tullerias and his subsequent execution at the Concorde Square , Paris . From now on , 1793 , the Terror begins in France, Georges Danton, a champion-of-the-people and founder of Cordeliers club , returns to clash against Maximilien Robespierre and his extremist party . The Committee for Public Safety, under Robespierre's incitement, has begun a series of massive executions, The Terror.

A historical film reenacting the first and main years of the tumultuous French Revolution that caused thousands of deaths . The picture especially narrates the happenings surrounding the revolutionary people , and about King Louis XIV, as his posterior fall , as his subsequent execution . Interweaving historical facts and appearance of notorious characters with the anonymous people who participated in the revolution such as Gaspard Ulliel as Basile, Adele Haenel as Francoise and Olivier Gourmet as the Uncle. Here shows up various known roles, usually speeching at the National Assembly and Convention such as Saint Just, Desmoulins , Robespierre well played by Louis Garrel, Marat finely performed by Denis Lavant and, of course, Louis XVI magnificently acted by Laurent Lafiitte who gives the best scenes about to be executed at the gallows. And even other French kings as Louis XI, Henry IV, Louis XIV King Sun , all of them appearing while Louis XVI is dreaming and reckoning with him due to his negligency for the violent revolution.

It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by Julien Hirsch. As well as sensitive and atmopheric musical score by Philippe Schoeller. The motion picture lavishly produced , approx. 17 million Euros, being professionally directed Pierre Scholler. Pierre is a good writer and filmmaker who has written and directed a few but decent films as Versalles, Les anonymes, The Minister and this Un peuple et son roi or world wide title : One nation, one king. Rating 6/10. The picture will appeal to history buffs and French Cinema lovers.