Louisiane

"Louisiana" remains one of my favorite movies about the Old South, and I believe it is as good as "Gone With the Wind," though a bit different. So many films about the Civil War depict the war as the only disappointment or tragedy to befall the characters and ruin their previously "idyllic" lives. Indeed, my own family, who experienced the Civil War in Virginia, handed down from one generation to another a chronic complaint: "The Union army ruined our lives." Actually, of course, my family's unwise choices and lack of judgment and values did the real damage, long after the Civil War was "history." I appreciate the film "Louisiana" because it shows many disappointments and tragedies, besides the war, that adversely impacted the characters and essentially destroyed their dreams and their families. It has been a while since I have seen the film, but I thoroughly enjoyed the performances of Margot Kidder, Lloyd Bochner, and the late Ian Charleson. I also was very much impressed with the costumes, scenery, and soundtrack of the film, and I look forward to finding this mini- series on DVD.

It seems to me that after the immense success of Gone with the Wind, so many other films were made trying to recapture the magic. So far, not one has come close. I'd like to think that this was a worthy attempt, but it really wasn't. Even die hard GWTW fans are unlikely to enjoy it. Fair acting on Kidder's part, nice scenery, and even some pretty good music (despite repetition of the Dixie Land song) during both scenes in Louisiana and in Paris are the only redeemable aspects of the uneven script and poor acting from supporting characters. I doubt many would have the patience to sit through this one, and if you do it's certainly not rewarding.

Comparisons will inevitably be made between this production and GWTW, which despite its near enshrinement in American film lore has debatably more faults, primarily among them its source being a near rewrite of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair." The cinematography is not as slick here, nor the music track as inspired, but "Louisiana" was a TV miniseries, not a blockbuster studio effort with a mammoth budget behind it. The roles are mostly very well acted, with Andrea Ferreol quite inspired as the transplanted French maid and confidante of the selfish, scheming and feisty Southern belle played by Margot Kidder. Wonderful Ian Charleson is endearing as the long-suffering overseer who loves her in spite of her frequently unlovable behavior and can never possess her, but loyally lends moral support through her two headstrong marriages. Lloyd Bochner, Victor Lanoux, as the husbands and Len Cariou as the slimy toad who tries to be number three are all very good. The depiction of the black characters is much more believable and developed than in GWTW in which they are mere caricatures. Hilly Hicks as the indomitable Brent is just one example of how well these supporting players are written and acted. The story is just a lot more interesting as well...of particular note are the sequences concerning the underground railroad, spoiled young Adrien irresponsibly causing the wreck of a passenger river steamboat, and Virginia's plot to wreak vengeance on the French arms dealer who raped and killed her only daughter. Forget GWTW for a few hours and give this one a chance, it's far better than many of the other bigger budgeted antebellum films, and as a family saga it can stand with the best of them.

"Louisiana " is not considered a successful movie by the talented Philippe de Broca abetted by a talented actress ,Margot Kidder.Unfortunately,as a French critic noticed when the movie was released,the make-up man "forgot to make his heroine look older as the years pass ;he realized it ten minutes before the end and then worked ten times hard."

It was intended to match the scale (and commercial success) of GWTW,featuring a broke heiress with a Tara without red earth named Bagatelle .She gets married but her family life will be even sadder than Scarlett's.

As it was usual in France and in Italy in the early eighties ,there were two versions: the "short" (3 hours+) one in the theaters and the long (God preserve us) one on TV.

Watch GWTW for the umpteenth time instead.

Just a long boring story. I can't even credit the actors. Script was bad. Of course this is just my opinion. If you need to fall asleep.... it works