Madame du Barry

Directed by Christian-Jaque, written by Henri Jeanson - Christian-Jaque and Albert Valentin, enlightened by Christian Matras, with Martine Carol,... The best certificate for a brilliant and entertaining movie. And in color, one of the first in France. Henri Jeanson's dialogues are so funny and do not hide any sex details (don't miss the final description about la du Barry). Martine Carol is of course as funny as the dialogues but I can't help thinking she borrows a lot of Danièle Darrieux's playing. The Chateau de Versailles was from the beginning of cinema the setting of many Historical cinematografic adaptations (Marie-Antoinette in 1903, Le collier de la Reine in 1909, Un amour de la Dubarry in 1909, ...), and Madame Bovary was shot at least 10 times.

On reading Joan Haslip's biography of Madame du Barry, I was quite happy to guess the names of certain characters (such as Madame de Gramont), since the movie only comes out in French. I personally think it is a nice movie, though cut very short! Martine Carol was very good in the role, having a happy-go-lucky bubbly personality, using childish coy to attract the king, although her seductive side, though a very important asset as role of Louis XV's last mistress, was but non-existent (considering it is a 1954 movie!).

The costumes were nice, although considering how du Barry was always pompous and up-to-date with fashion, could have had at least a few more wigs! Still, since it is the only movie I could find about her, it is brilliant!!!

La Du Barry was -like Madame de Pompadour- actually a bourgeoise whose real name was Jeanne Bécu.

Christian-Jacques's movie,one of the first French color movies -they were not numerous at the time- is pretty entertaining.Henri Jeanson's dialog -he was certainly the best screen writer France had ever had-is risqué,and not afraid of calling a spade a spade when it comes to sex .In 1954,the Catholic Office of cinema urged the faithful not to watch that flick.Martine Carol ,who was THE French star before Brigitte Bardot's coming ,was perfectly cast as aging Louis the 15 th's lover.

What's less funny is Madame Du Barry's end (not in the film):sentenced to death by the revolutionary tribunal in 1793 (she should have stayed in England where she was then),she tried to save her head by giving all her jewels to the Republic:during several hours,she revealed all the hiding places in her château.To no avail.She had to be dragged to the guillotine , she was screaming with terror.Her famous last words were "One minute more ,Mister executioner!".

The movie ends with Madame du Barry's disgrace,when her royal lover died.She was then imprisoned in an abbey for one year,for Marie-Antoinette hated her.