Die schönste Geschichte der Welt

It sounds like a soppy idea: That we meet the people we love time and again through the ages. But it works - for over three hours. 'La belle histoire' switches between Judea 2000 years back (yep, the time and place of Christ) and the present day. We meet the same group of people then and now, with grand passion, bullfighting and Gipsy Kings thrown into the mix.

Being a French movie, there's a lot of pretty people here. And religious/Christian metaphors. This could have become a messy stew - instead, it's a very entertaining epic for the romanticists among us. Too bad it's so hard to get hold of.

It is clear that most viewers will be extremely disturbed by the pace of the film...

Describing two plots (one in antiquity, one now) and using the same actors, and a series of flashbacks to get his point across, Claude Lelouch uses his traditional style in a confusing manner which will make the film beyond the understanding of many.

3h20 minutes later, the mystery is solved, fully, and it is plain that he was in control all the time... not like other directors who can't make a clean film with a linear time line.

From the gorgeous Marie-Sophie L., Beatrice Dalle, Vincent Lindon, the cast, although familiar faces in Lelouch's films, all show their talent. Even late Paul Preboist, usually too strong in his approach, delivers a beautiful performance.

Music is in perfect harmony with the images, inclusing Brel, gypsy music, bullfight themes perfectly and flawlessly.

If you only heard about Lelouch but never saw any of his films, "Ladies and Gentlemen" would be a better first film than this one as this one is possibly very confusing... but a masterpiece nonetheless.

It's so many years since i saw this film, but i'll never forget it. I have been looking for it everywhere, but couldn't find it. It was me and my sister watching with no expectation. When it was finished, we wanted more. Some years ago i was in a DVD-shop in my hometown, looking for another movie, i was listening to another costumer asking for this movie "La Belle Historie". He told the owner of the shop exactly the same story as mine about the experience watching this film. He said that his class from school saw the film at the movie, and they all had the same reaction. He never forgot it too. Well thats my story.. One day i will be lucky to see it again..(sorry for my bad English):o)

This film is a masterpiece of symbolic might.

It's a masterpiece of deep and real love.

It's not a romantic popcorn movie for pseudo intellectual french film groupies.

And that's why it is downgraded in ratings and nobody knows about it. Its production company failed in marketing, then failed commercially. The film is unknown to most people and when they watch it, they expect something completely different.

For me personally, this is one of the 100 most "artsy" films ever made. In a positive way as it still resonates within me after nearly 30 years.

Some people won't get this film. Their loss. Lelouch is a master of his art. He plays with narrative and plot, introducing characters seemingly at random, yet he's always in full control, and the fun is in finding out just that. The performances are uniformly even - perhaps Beatrice Dalle is a standout. Photography is gorgeous, and as you would expect from the director who made "A Man and a Woman", the music is luscious. The opening time lapse scene in Paris is worth the price alone. Lelouch is accused of recycling a limited repertoire of technique. Well, bring it on, I say. I watch this film at least twice a year. An unsung masterpiece. *** Late breaking news - May 2005. A DVD version with English subtitles has been released in Canada as part of a box set of six Lelouch films. A search will find it... Finally, the 16:9 version!