Le retour de Martin Guerre

This is one of my most favorite movies of all time.

What makes this film so good? It is basically about this one universal truth, as said succinctly and poignantly by Bertrand, the wife of Martin Guerre: "As a woman, I have needs." Societies and civilisations that ignore this fact are the worse off for it.

Good acting, historical, and based on real events - these are some of the other positive aspects of the film.

The one thing that THE RETURN OF MARTIN GUERRE serves to do is prove positively and absolutely that not all the great film productions come from the USA.

This is an extremely well made movie, with extremely high production values. Great acting, great sets, great costumes, great score. Pure quality.

One of my favorite movies, even if the ending is a heartbreaker. Every Depardieu fan should have a copy - in French, not dubbed. You can't help but like the returning Martin, as played by Depardieu. His talent at facial expression is wonderful. The courtroom scene is his best - check out the look he gives the wife as she steps forward to select the correct Martin.

This definitive version of the story of Martin Guerre (remade in English with Richard Gere and Jodie Foster as 'Sommersby'; and musicalised in a misguided version by Boublil and Schoenberg) is amongst French actor Gérard Depardieu's greatest roles. As the bluff, romantic, sensitive soldier who returns to the village after years away (or does he?) he manages to provoke all sorts of reactions from his other on-screen characters as well as the film's audience.

As Bernadette de Rols, the wife seeking love and companionship, Nathalie Baye is superb; while a large and talented cast give flesh to the remaining characters. I defy anyone to see this adaptation and not be moved by it; try and see in the cinema, where it undoubtedly has more power than on a small screen; and avoid the version dubbed into English. 'Le Retour de Martin Guerre' need to survive with its language and poetry intact.

Brings to life intriguing and complex drama from middle ages. Brilliant acting, musical score (original instruments--well-researched), and costumes. Possibly one of the best Gerard Deperdieu films.