French/Paris history movies
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- DirectorPatrice ChéreauStarsIsabelle AdjaniDaniel AuteuilJean-Hugues AngladeYoung Queen Margot finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage amidst a religious war between Catholics and Protestants. She hopes to escape with a new lover, but finds herself imprisoned by her powerful and ruthless family.This movie is based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas. It is set against the backdrop of the French Religious Wars of the 16th century and depicts within it one of the most important days in Parisian history: the St. Bartholomew’s Night Massacre. Walking the streets of Paris won’t be the same to you after you witness this. Learn also about some key figures in French and Parisian history: Catherine de Medici, the Poison Queen. Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, the Grand Admiral (a very striking statue of his you will walk past next to the Louvre) and lastly, Henri IV (another striking statue on Pont Neuf), founder of the Bourbon dynasty.
- DirectorLaurent TirardStarsRomain DurisFabrice LuchiniLaura MoranteTo satisfy his creditors, a witty actor reinvents himself as a satirical playwright, with uproarious, yet bittersweet, results.A look at an episode in the life of French writer and actor Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. You can imagine him a bit like a French Shakespeare, certainly he shares an almost equal importance to world literature. He was born, lived, worked and died in Paris, a city that is much indebted to this man. I encourage you to learn more about and maybe even read him, for you can discover the Paris of Molière when you’re there.
- DirectorRoberto RosselliniStarsJean-Marie PatteRaymond JourdanCésar SilvagniAfter the death of Cardinal Mazarin, young king Louis XIV decides to assert his power to control the aristocracy.Our introduction into France's most important king.
- DirectorGérard CorbiauStarsBenoît MagimelBoris TerralTchéky KaryoCorbiau repeats the Farinelli formula, artistic rivalry and social private drama expressed in dazzling, sometimes excessively lavish baroque scenery, music and costume, but this time in its ultimate setting: Versailles. There are two protagonists - first the title character, Louis XIV, the French sun-king who has two passions, establishing absolute rule over the realm -after decades of religious/civil wars- by divine right and artistic brilliancy as a dancer (like Nero wrote and performed musical poetry), and starts asserting himself against the entourage of his Medici mother, the regent during his minority, by building his palace complex and launching a 'fitting' new, mainly musical display of baroque show. Secondly the musical genius Gianbattista Lulli ('Jean-Baptiste') Lully, a Florentine upstart of unbridled ambition, quickly gains the king's absolute trust, despite the nationalist and aristocratic opposition to a low-born Italian, and thus turns the normally socially humble post of court composer into a 'ministerial portfolio of culture' of Cabinet rank, complete with a monopoly which kills of his artistic rivals in operatic theater. The script also weaves a complex web of court scheming for individual power and social interests, and even a sadistic but accidental murder on a young valet, producing a sensuous and sumptuous drama too complex for this format, ending in a freakish but fatal accident. Louis XIV's mother was Ana de Austria (in French, Anne d' Autriche), the daughter of one of the Hapsburgh Kings of Spain. Maria di Medici (in French, Marie de Médicis) was his grandmother, his father's mother. She was dead before Louis XIV reached the throne. Please correct the reference to "his Medici mother"Very interesting movie that ties into the above one. It is a look at the court of France’s most famous king, Louis XIV, the Sun-King. It is a stunning display of the decadence but also beauty and culture of the court of the Sun-King, who seeks to dazzle the French aristocracy with ever more elaborate displays of song, dance and theatre (aided by above mentioned Molière).
- DirectorAlain CorneauStarsGérard DepardieuJean-Pierre MarielleAnne BrochetThe story of Monsieur de Sainte Colombe, fierce and somber man, grand master of the viola da gamba and professor of Marin Marais, prestigious musician in the court of Louis XIV.Another look at the court of the Sun-King. A beautiful movie less so thanks to its imagery, which is dazzling, but more so due to its focus on the music of the court at the time. At the centre stands Jean de Sainte-Colombe, Master of the Violin. It is his own music that plays throughout the movie which gives it an otherworldly quality, as it is almost as if the man himself took part in the creation of his own movie nearly 400 years after his death.
- DirectorRobert EnricoRichard T. HeffronStarsKlaus Maria BrandauerJane SeymourFrançois CluzetA chronicle of the French Revolution from the calling of the Etats General in 1789 until the end of the Jacobin Terror in 1794.Dipping into one of the most important events in human history, the stage of which was Paris: The French Revolution. This movie is a monumental work in which all of Europe was involved. It was a pan-European production for the 300th anniversary of the French Revolution in 1989. Actors come from France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Italy, it is a huge production and very well made. The events of the FR can be confusing at times, the many actors of it as well, but follow along and learn their passion, pride, love and hate, their ultimate doom. One of the most interesting episodes in Parisian history.
- DirectorAndrzej WajdaStarsGérard DepardieuWojciech PszoniakAnne AlvaroIn 1793, as the Terror begins in France, Georges Danton, a champion-of-the-people, returns to clash against Maximilien Robespierre and his extremist party.You will already meet Danton in La Révolution Française, however, this movie is entirely dedicated to him. One of the most enigmatic figures of the FR, this movie highlights the complicated relationship between himself and Robespierre, the other key figure of the revolution. The saying goes that the revolution will always eat its children. Danton was a child of the revolution. This is his story.
- DirectorBruno NuyttenStarsIsabelle AdjaniGérard DepardieuMadeleine RobinsonCamille Claude impresses already-famous sculptor Auguste Rodin. He hires her as an assistant, but soon Camille begins to sculpt for herself and she also becomes his mistress. But after a while, she would like to get out of his shadow.This is a movie on the life and passions of Auguste Rodin the famous sculptor, as well as Camille Claudel, a less famous but no less skilled sculptor. You will see both their works all across Paris, its streets, palaces, cemeteries and museums.
- DirectorVolker SchlöndorffStarsAndré DussollierNiels ArestrupBurghart KlaußnerA historical drama that depicts the relationship between Dietrich von Choltitz, the German military governor of occupied Paris, and Swedish consul-general Raoul Nordling.A movie set against the German occupation of Paris in WW2. When the Allied forces landed in Normandy and pushed the German army of out France, the Führer Adolf Hitler ordered the commanding German officer in Paris to prepare the destruction of the city. Accordingly, the general had explosive devices placed all across Paris. This is the story of a Swedish diplomat, an official of a neutral country in the war, who appealed to the conscience of the German general to abandon his plans and save the city to humanity as the Allied forces approached. Highly recommend for an underappreciated moment in history, for without success of the Swede, much of Paris wouldn’t be there for us to enjoy.
- DirectorOlivier DahanStarsMarion CotillardSylvie TestudPascal GreggoryBiopic of the iconic French singer Édith Piaf. Raised by her grandmother in a brothel, she was discovered while singing on a street corner at the age of 19. Despite her success, Piaf's life was filled with tragedy.When you read the title of this movie you already have the melody of the song in your head. This is the story of Edith Piaf, the woman everyone thinks of when they think French music. She too is intertwined with the city of Paris and it is a worthwhile endeavour to learn more about her.
- DirectorGabriel Le BominStarsLambert WilsonIsabelle CarréOlivier GourmetParis, June 1940. The de Gaulle couple is confronted with the military and political collapse of France. Charles de Gaulle joins London while Yvonne, his wife, finds herself with her three children on the road of the exodus.When you land in Paris, you land at Charles de Gaulle airport. The gateway to the city is named after the most important man in the France of the 20th century. Truly a man larger than life and worthy of study. This movie will give you a brief introduction into his war effort during WW2. Of course, he also fought for France in WW1. And would go on to be her Prime Minister and President.
- DirectorAlbert SerraStarsJean-Pierre LéaudPatrick d'AssumçaoMarc SusiniUpon returning from a hunting expedition, King Louis XIV feels a sharp pain in his leg. He begins to die, surrounded by loyal followers in the royal chambers.Another look at the most important king of France. This time, his last days.
- DirectorBertrand TavernierStarsPhilippe NoiretJean RochefortJean-Pierre MarielleA look at 18th-century France, when the authorities depravity contributed to social oppression, and the uprisings flared up one after another.And a look at what happened after Louis XIV death.
- DirectorFrançois TruffautStarsJean-Pierre LéaudAlbert RémyClaire MaurierA young boy, left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.While not a historic movie per se, it is a look at the Paris of the 1950 through the eyes of a troubled youth. Beautiful movie.
- DirectorMathieu KassovitzStarsVincent CasselHubert KoundéSaïd Taghmaoui24 hours in the lives of three young men in the French suburbs the day after a violent riot.Another look at modern Paris and its contemporary problems.
- DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsKirsten DunstJason SchwartzmanRip TornThe retelling of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 14 to her reign as queen at 19 and to the end of her reign as queen, and ultimately the fall of Versailles.Probably France's most famous queen. An ok movie depicting her life from sweet innocence to the fires of the Revolution.
- DirectorSacha GuitryStarsMichel AuclairJean-Pierre AumontJean-Louis BarraultThe history of the palace of Versailles from its founding to the present.A very French look at the history of Versailles- tracing its love affairs through the ages.
- DirectorYves AngeloStarsGérard DepardieuFanny ArdantFabrice LuchiniColonel Chabert has been severely wounded in the French-Russian Napoleonic war to the point that the medical examiner has signed his death certificate. When he regains his health and memory, he goes back to Paris, where his "widow", Anne has married the Count Ferraud and is financing his rise to power using Chabert's money. Chabert hires a lawyer to help him get back his money and his honor.This is a fictional story, based on a book by Balzac, one of France's greatest writers. While it is fictional, I think it does give a worthwhile look at the post-Napoleonic Paris and the toil of its people.
- DirectorGillo PontecorvoStarsBrahim HadjadjJean MartinYacef SaadiIn the 1950s, fear and violence escalate as the people of Algiers fight for independence from the French government.So, this movie has nothing to do with Paris- at least directly. However, I do believe that it is key to unlocking a lot of the ethnic strife and struggle that exists in France today and particularly in Paris. Give it a watch if you can find the time.
- DirectorJack ConwayRobert Z. LeonardStarsRonald ColmanElizabeth AllanEdna May OliverA pair of lookalikes, one a former French aristocrat and the other an alcoholic English lawyer, fall in love with the same woman amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution.Based on Charles Dickens novel. Another look at revolutionary Paris and France.
- DirectorPeter WatkinsStarsEliane Annie AdaltoPierre BarbieuxBernard BombeauIn this war drama blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, the working class and the bourgeoisie of 19th century Paris are interviewed and covered on television, before and during a tragic workers' class revolt.A look at the Paris Commune. Imagine the Paris of 1871- a beautiful city full of nice cafes and the smell of pastry in the streets, right? WRONG. Paris in 1871 was surrounded and besieged by the POWERFUL German army. German Krupp artillery stationed on Montmartre reigning fire upon the city. The citizens so starved that they started eating zoo animals. And then, a FIRE erupts, but a metaphorical one as it is another revolution in Paris- and thus the COMMUNE is born.