The Madwoman of Chaillot

G

1969

2h 12m

Comedy

List

11%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

An eccentric French countess (Katharine Hepburn) and her odd friends thwart a plot to drill for oil in Paris.

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Steve D

absolutely embarrassing.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

Celtic R

A great story about greed and fossil fuel. It's needed in the 21st century. In 1969, the Hollywood crowd bungled the production and the result was a dull movie. Maybe a group college or community actors will rediscover the play. Hope for the best.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The outdoor cafe scene with Yul Brynner is the most memorable of this movie. Katharine Hepburn shines as the star, though this movie is mostly built on talky dialogue. Has a ton of big names in this movie, but if you sit through the whole thing, its actually a good movie. It just needs to be given a fair chance!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Frances H

I saw this film many years ago, and did not really understand it, while finding it too like Theater of the Absurd. Viewing it now, I can appreciate its witty style and a message that is more apropos today than ever before. The star-studded cast is wonderful in this film that could probably not been written at any other time period, but is so relevant to what is going on in the United States today. I couldn't have picked a better time to re-view this flick. Danny Kaye in his last role alone is worth the watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/15/17

Full Review

Audience Member

If you need to clean out a sewer you need to get your hands dirty. Countess Aurelia is rich and has a loyal following. She resides in Paris and is disturbed by the corrupt and evil behavior that plagues her people. She stands up against evil in her own way using her power, money, and influence. Will she be able to bring down the corrupt and evil men that plague her country or will she be seen as senile by her own people? "Say it before the song ends." Bryan Forbes, director of Better Late than Never, King Rat, The Wrong Box, The Naked Face, The Stepford Wives (1975), The L-Shaped Room, and Séance on a Wet Afternoon, delivers The Manwoman of Chaillot. The storyline for this picture is very interesting and has some worthwhile characters and interactions. The acting is awesome and the cast includes Katherine Hepburn, Yul Brynner, Donald Pleasence, John Gavin, Edith Evans, and Paul Henreid. "When you let someone go you never see them again." I came across this on cable and had to DVR it since it starred Katherine Hepburn (I'm a fan of hers). This was a great character for Hepburn to play (especially at her age in this movie, she delivered this character perfectly). Overall, this isn't a classic masterpiece, but it is worth seeing once. "I can assure you God is not a woman." Grade: B-

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

s r

Quite the cheesy buildup to get to the point of the all systems of government, religion and economy, that being greed. The talented cast puts the rulers on trial, finding them guilty of taking advantage of and choking the world. She then carries out the judgment. Danny Kaye surprised with his defense of the greedy. "the world is run by pimps! Not even a cabbage can't be sold without a pimp." (paraphrase)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Bryan Forbes

Director

Katharine Hepburn

Countess Aurelia

Charles Boyer

The Broker

Claude Dauphin

Dr. Jadin

Edith Evans

Josephine

John Gavin

The Reverend

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Edward Anhalt’s script is leaden-hearted; Jean Giraudoux’s fragile play is doubtful screen material at best, and Anhalt’s updating and message-mongering destroyed at the outset whatever chance it might have had.

Feb 5, 2024

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Story of struggle between good and evil becomes audience’s struggle against tedium.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

The Madwoman of Chaillot, presented originally on the Broadway stage in 1948 with Martita Hunt in the title role, has not aged with grace or charm -- not, at least, according to Bryan Forbes's screen version.

May 9, 2005

Full Review

Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Rated: 2/5

Jul 23, 2008

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Fascinating star-studded mess, but a mess all the same.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 9, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 1/5

Nov 5, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

An eccentric French countess (Katharine Hepburn) and her odd friends thwart a plot to drill for oil in Paris.

Director: Bryan Forbes
Production Co: Commonwealth United Entertainment
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 2h 12m

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