Le Bossu
1997 History / Adventure / Romance   

 

Review
This is an action-packed two hours of swash-buckling adventure of the Three Musketeers kind in which French cinema has revelled and excelled for decades.  This film certainly lives up to the standard of former triumphs of that ilk.  The choreography of the sword fights is quite stunning without appearing repetetive or overly violent.

The film’s main strength is in its splendid performances from Daniel Auteil and Fabrice Luchini, both actors being far from obvious choices for their respective roles, but both working out very well indeed.  The love thing between Auteuil’s character and his teenage ward looks a bit dubious, but that is easy to overlook in a film where so much is happening.

The location work is excellent, with some truly stunning outdoor sequences, particularly in the scenes where Lagardère and the Duke are on the run from Gonzague’s henchmen.

A very entertaining romp, with some great sword fights and some supremely witty moments.

© James Travers 2000

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  Director: Philippe de Broca
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Fabrice Luchini, Vincent Perez, Marie Gillain, Yann Collette

Synopsis
When the Duke of Nevers, is killed by the Count Gozague in a villainous bid to usurp his position, the swordmaster Lagardère flees with his daughter and swears revenge.  Years later, when Nevers’ daughter has grown into a fine young woman, Lagardère returns to the court to seek his revenge on Gonzague.  What ensues is an amazing confrontation of good against evil, with the eventual humiliation and destruction of the wicked Gonzague.

Credits
  • Director: Philippe de Broca
  • Script: Philippe de Broca, Jean Cosmos, Jérôme Tonnerre, based on a novel by Paul Féval
  • Photo: Jean-François Robin
  • Music: Philippe Sarde
  • Cast: Daniel Auteuil (Lagardère), Fabrice Luchini (Gonzague), Vincent Perez (Duke of Nevers), Marie Gillain (Aurore), Yann Collette (Peyrolles), Jean-François Stévenin (Cocardasse), Didier Pain (Passepoil), Claire Nebout (Blanche), Philippe Noiret (Philippe d’Orléans), Charlie Nelson (Esope), Jacques Sereys (Caylus), Renato Scarpa (Paolo), Ludovica Tinghi (Ornella), James Thiérrée (Marcello), Sacha Bourdo (Giuseppe), Margot Marguerite (Bergues), Jean Antolinos (Magistrat), Urbain Cancelier (Argenson)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 128 min
  • Aka: On Guard



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