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La Marseillaise

Play trailer Poster for La Marseillaise 1938 2h 10m History Drama War Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In this historical film, renowned director Jean Renoir depicts the French Revolution with an unusually matter-of-fact approach that downplays the dramatic elements of the story. While the filmmaker's brother, Pierre Renoir, portrays the besieged Louis XVI and Lise Delamare plays his iconic wife, Marie Antoinette, the production focuses mostly on the ordinary people caught up in the tumultuous time, resulting in a film that is more concerned with regular citizens than with royalty.

Critics Reviews

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Derek Adams Time Out It is a relief, too, to see the lingering archaism of the earlier sections of the film swept away in an astonishing last third of quiet power. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Frank S. Nugent New York Times It is probably the least dramatic film ever made about one of the most dramatic events in history -- the French Revolution. Rated: 2/5 Jan 28, 2006 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Fascinating (but not wholly successful). Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Nathanael Hood The Retro Set Almost nothing about the film works. Rated: 3/10 Dec 28, 2018 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews An heroic romanticized telling of the French Revolution of 1789. Rated: B+ Jan 2, 2011 Full Review Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies Online ... the heady, idealistic days of the French Revolution as seen from the street, through the eyes of an idealistic group of Republicans from Marseilles... Apr 26, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (8) audience reviews
william d I was disappointed. None of the great events of the French Revolution are presented here, save for the storming of the palace at Tuileries. Instead, the story concentrates on some members of the contingent from Marseilles who travel to Paris to join the revolution, interspersed with characters delivering soliloquies justifying their actions. I found it rather dull. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting but curiously low key movie about the beginnings of the french revolution and the role the anthem "Marseillaise" played. It follows volunteers as they march on Paris and their gathering cloud that menaced the aristocrats. Chilling parallels to today . Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Não sei que mandinga à (C) essa que tem no sangue da família Renoir. O que importa à (C) que os resultados são... encantadores. :-D MAN!, Jean Renoir, acho, faz o cinema de hoje parecer tão... pequeno... :-) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member The French Revolution of 1789-92 told from the point of view of "the people". The film was interesting because we saw it told by the French (rather than The Scarlet Pimpernel etc. which aren't showing the French in a good light) but it was a pity that the left-wing biases of the time showed through so strongly. Some of the acting is very good, and some of Renoir's filmography was excellent, and the time that the film was made makes it very poignant - the French people not surrendering..... 7.5/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member sprawling epic story of the French Revolution....despite having a great director and an epic scale the film seemed a little impersonal even though it made a continual point of viewing events from several "common" people's points of view. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Something in this film made me uncomfortable.The over-long and too-explicative dialogues?The superficial,over-the-top characters?Or is it the too-patriotic moral it gives?The three,probably. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews
La Marseillaise

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La Marseillaise

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this historical film, renowned director Jean Renoir depicts the French Revolution with an unusually matter-of-fact approach that downplays the dramatic elements of the story. While the filmmaker's brother, Pierre Renoir, portrays the besieged Louis XVI and Lise Delamare plays his iconic wife, Marie Antoinette, the production focuses mostly on the ordinary people caught up in the tumultuous time, resulting in a film that is more concerned with regular citizens than with royalty.
Director
Jean Renoir
Producer
Jean Renoir
Production Co
Societé d'Exploitation et de Distribution de Films
Genre
History, Drama, War, Music
Original Language
Canadian French
Runtime
2h 10m