Credits
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Summary
Grace Elliott, a well-connected English lady, is living in Paris at the time of the French
Revolution. She was once the lover of the Duke of Orléans, cousin of King
Louis XVI, who remains her closest friend and confidant. However, whilst the Duke
supports the Revolution, Grace’s sympathies are with the king and his family. Without
the Duke knowing, she risks her own life to save a nobleman from arrest and certain death
at the guillotine. Later, she is appalled when the Duke casts a decisive vote which
sanctions the king’s execution. With Paris in turmoil, Grace finally decides to
return to England, but before the Duke can obtain a passport for her, she is arrested
when a compromising letter is discovered in her house...
Review
In perhaps one of his most surprising films to date, Eric Rohmer offers us this unusual
portrayal of life in France during one of the darkest periods in her history. Although
Rohmer is perhaps better known for his perceptive and humorous observations of male-female
relationships (such as the critically acclaimed Four Seasons cycle), the director
has also turned out some respectable period dramas, including some work for French television
and the two cinema films Die
Marquise von O... (1976) and Perceval
le Gallois (1978). L’Anglaise et le duc amply demonstrates Rohmer’s
enthusiasm and talent for the historical drama and should appeal as much to fans of Rohmer’s
brand of cinema as to anyone interested in French history.
Although French cinema is renowned for its historical films, the period of the Grande Terreur between 1792 and 1794, when Robespierre and his cohorts attempted to purge Paris of its nobility, is not well represented. Andrzej Wajda’s 1982 film Danton is perhaps the only memorable film which covers this period. This could be a reflection of the ambivalence the French people towards this part of their history – pride in the creation of the French state being somewhat tempered by regret at the loss of their monarchy. There is little doubt which side Rohmer is on in this film, which portrays the loyalists as maryrs, the revolutionaries as uncouth fools or repugnant bullies, and the Revolution as inhuman ideology gone beserk. The film is based on the memoirs of an English aristocrat, Grace Elliott, and consequently gives a personal and refreshing insight into the Revolution, providing a strong contrast with traditional historical texts of the period (which almost always come down on the side of the revolutionaries). Rohmer’s film is the antithesis of the traditional French period drama and is much closer in form to a stage production than a conventional cinematic work. Heavy in dialogue (as in most of Rohmer’s films) and avoiding big set pieces, the film will almost certainly disappoint those who prefer the more lavish period films in which French cinema excels. To make up for that, the dialogue is beautifully written and perceptive, whilst strong performances from Lucy Russell and Jean-Claude Dreyfus (who play the Lady and the Duke of the title) makes this a compelling and illuminating film.
One controversial aspect of the film, which some critics have pillioried whilst others
have praised to the skies, is the use of painted stills as static backdrops for the exterior
scenes. These are taken from paintings of the period and are presumably intended
to give an “authentic” depiction of the period whilst enabling the spectator
to form a mental link between what is portrayed in the film and his recollection of history
lessons at school. The actors are superimposed on these pictures using
the latest digital technology – a surprisingly daring move for a comparatively conservative
film director. This device is certainly imaginative and some of the
scenes are genuinely eye-catching. However, after the novelty has worn off, it is
too easy to notice the flaws and limitations in this technique and, on balance, it perhaps
works against the film, distracting us from the pleasure inherent in the drama.
Despite this, L’Anglaise et le duc is well worth seeing, mainly for the poignantly
humane insight it offers into one of the most tumultuous periods in French history.
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