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IMDbPro

Il était une fois Jean-Sébastien Bach

  • 2003
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
103
YOUR RATING
Il était une fois Jean-Sébastien Bach (2003)
Drama

J.S. BACH: THE MUSIC, THE LIFE, THE LEGEND is a dramatic look at the life of Johann Sebastian Bach, a man who dedicated his life to the service of music.J.S. BACH: THE MUSIC, THE LIFE, THE LEGEND is a dramatic look at the life of Johann Sebastian Bach, a man who dedicated his life to the service of music.J.S. BACH: THE MUSIC, THE LIFE, THE LEGEND is a dramatic look at the life of Johann Sebastian Bach, a man who dedicated his life to the service of music.

  • Director
    • Jean-Louis Guillermou
  • Writer
    • Jean-Louis Guillermou
  • Stars
    • Christian Vadim
    • Elena Lenina
    • Frédérique Bel
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    103
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jean-Louis Guillermou
    • Writer
      • Jean-Louis Guillermou
    • Stars
      • Christian Vadim
      • Elena Lenina
      • Frédérique Bel
    • 11User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos2

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    Top cast25

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    Christian Vadim
    Christian Vadim
    • Jean-Sébastien Bach
    Elena Lenina
    Elena Lenina
    • Anna Magdalena Bach
    Frédérique Bel
    Frédérique Bel
    • Maria Barbara Bach
    Jean Rochefort
    Jean Rochefort
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Cédric Vallet
    • Jean-Christophe Bach
    Daniel Duault
    • Le duc de Weimar
    Gwenaël Foucher
    • Jean-Sébastien Bach enfant
    Alain Floret
    • Monsieur Buxtehüde
    Jean Léger
    • Le pasteur d'Arnstadt
    Raphaëlle Lenoble
    • Alexandra Buxtehüde
    Annette Schreiber
    • Margaretha Bach
    Patrick Colucci
    Patrick Tessari
    Alain Courtioux
    Michael Berreby
    Didier Blin
    Alexandra Robert
    Jean-Pierre Surmonne
    • Director
      • Jean-Louis Guillermou
    • Writer
      • Jean-Louis Guillermou
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    5.2103
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    Featured reviews

    Bryan_Cloninger

    Bad Movie, great Set Decoration and Art Department

    The movie's script seemed like one of those poor movies one would be subjected to in American schooling. The narrative voice overs lowered the film down to documentary wishing to be a movie. Also the casting was not coherent with the historical figures. This movie misses the essence and passion of classical musics greatest composer. This could have easily been a story as good or greater then Amadeus.

    The films sole saving grace is the great decor. The costume is very good also. All the sheet music and set decoration is well done. There is a lot of attention and creativity in the details (after a while it was all I was watching in the movie). I watched "the making of" on the DVD to try and understand the production. I think it is safe to say it was at least the script... One telling moment was when the director is speaking with the chief decorator. They are discussing how great the set design is and taking a lot of credit, when it is obvious neither one are actually aware of the details of what they are talking about. So the assistant set decorator comes over and explains it... they go on to say in fact the assistant had done all the work discussed. I guess I would be sure to hire the assistant next time. :)

    I sincerely hope that someone takes up the biographical subject matter of Bach and does it correctly. It has a great potential... keep the decor and set design - get a dramatic and less narrative script and go from there. ... And now we continue in present day...
    4brutusalwaysminded

    A Roll in the Hay with Bach

    To my mind the music of Johann Sebastian Bach is far from a pretty, bucolic romp in the woods; but that's pretty much what we have here. The leads are mostly miscast, gorgeously coiffed, French lookers who display little affinity for the depth or complexity of the composer's work (we never even see Anna Magdalena, Bach's second wife and accomplished musician in her own right, play the clavier - though we do see plenty of cleavage). The narrator provides all the necessary biographical information, interpretation and commentary on Bach's life and career. The rest is an insipid but pretty melodrama accompanied by the splendid of music of Herr Bach. If that's all you require, enjoy!
    10tgraca-95763

    I love this movie!

    J.S. Bach is my favorite composer and this movie explored his life in a way I never took the time to do myself.

    I ran into this movie by accident and it was a pleasant surprise.

    I now have a great appreciation of the man behind the music.

    It also gives a hint of what it was like for people of his time - a nice period piece.

    For example: I didn't even know he had married.

    Another example: I didn't know he was incarcerated. Hmm... ex con? That's not really descriptive of his incarceration, but a fun twist on this footnote!

    It's a must see for any J.S. Bach fan!
    7philipokrause

    Learn about Bach and enjoy some of his great music in a modest but good film

    This film about one of the classical music world's genuine greats is a mostly factually accurate re telling of J S Bach's life starting at age ten . It hits most of the highlights and saddest lows of Bach's painful and yet interesting life with an attempt , usually successful , of being not only truthful but also modest . It is in stark contrast to other films about classical musical geniuses like Amadeus , which may be to some more entertaining , but also have multiple scenes that are , as far as historians know , pure fiction . Il etait une fois Jean Sebastien Bach is in French but the subtitles are both easy to read because of their large size print , and accurate translations into English . The music is wonderful ! Every single piece , as befits an entire film about one of the greatest classical music composers ever , is a J S Bach composition . Several of the locations , in the movie , are even the original spots that J S Bach himself was at . Another honest attempt by this filmmaker to be truthful and accurate to the facts of Bach's life . If you want to learn about J S Bach's life , joys and woes and , of course his wonderful music this film will give you that . Despite the criticisms of some reviewers it is a solid , admittedly not spectacular , but good film . Agreed none of the performances are award worthy but again it tells his story accurately and gives quality renditions of Bach's music . It achieves the reasonable if modest , but still worthwhile aims for a film about a musical great - to tell enough of the person's story truthfully that the viewer learns about the person's life and hears some of his music . Few other music composers have as many pieces of their music performed as often every year for over two centuries on different continents as J S Bach and this is a good introduction to the man , his life and a small , but good , sampling of his music .
    6the_oak

    I don't agree with the other reviews

    I have little knowledge about Johan Sebastian Bach, but I liked this movie anyways. Maybe it was because I wasn't critical? The costumes were nice and I liked the actors. It was interesting that he was such a humble man. And that he loved both his wifes. I also liked that he seemed like a good father. I think his brother was a little arrogant. I wonder what kind of music Bach would have listened to had he been transported with a time machine to our time? I wish there were movies about other famous people like this. I am happy I am not living in the 17th century, because I think it would be nasty to be operated on by a quack doctor.

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • August 13, 2003 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Distributor's official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Il était une fois... Johann Sebastian Bach
    • Production companies
      • L.C.J Editions & Productions
      • JSB Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $43,407
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 45m(105 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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