MovieChat Forums > Danton (1983) Discussion > What an incredible work of art this prod...

What an incredible work of art this production was!

posted 16 years ago by micaofboca-1
11 replies | jump to latest

I'm amazed at the lack of interest in this, one of the finest historical dramas of all time ever brought to screen, roused. The script, the acting, the directing, all are worthy of the very highest praise. I was transported wholly to that period and captivated by the excellence of all those involved. After watching such historical trash as Marie Antoinette, I'm at a loss to understand how much better the Europeans are at getting historical docudramas to enlighten, as well as entertain us. This remarkable film should be watched and rewatched, just to savour the incredible artistry and lack of revisionist history contained therein. Art and beauty are not a matter of opinion. A Rembrandt is beautiful whether or not the viewer can comprehend it. And my child's watercolors are NOT fine art, no matter how I insist they are. So whomever coined that foolish remark that art was in the eye of the beholder, was not a thinker. By the same token, this incredible work of art will survive the test of time, the way a Dickens novel has from over a century ago. Formidable!

[–] wmarkley 16 years ago

I agree with you micaofboca-1. I was awe-struck by "Danton" when I first saw it in the '80s, and it has haunted me ever since. Some things that impress me the most about it are its intelligent dialog, the way it looks so authentic, and the severe tension and grimness that it conveys. Not only are its great dramatic scenes very powerful, but it is also filled with brief scenes that speak volumes, such as when people are shown being searched upon entering Paris, and the weary and wary people who are waiting in a bread line, fearing that their comments will be heard by spies.

It is such an intelligent examination of political questions and human nature, and is artfully done as you say. And Danton is not shown simplistically. He wakes up and understands that the Revolution has become unjust and is killing many innocent people, but he also can't escape his own guilt in having helped move the Revolution in that direction.

I also agree with you that not every bit of self-expression deserves to be called art!

[–] gigantes 16 years ago

great points by you two. just wanted to point out that this is one of my all-time favorite films since i first saw it around 1989.

this single film inspired in me a ravenous interest in the french revolution that raged for over five years.

[–] wmarkley 16 years ago

Thanks for your comments, gigantes! I hope you were able to keep the Jacobins under control when your interest in the French Revolution was raging! :-) Did you find any books on it that you especially liked?

[–] gigantes 16 years ago

i pretty-much enjoyed whatever i could get my hands on, markley, altho i do remember having special respect for a book called "citizens" by simon schama:
http://www.amazon.com/Citizens-Chronicle-Revolution-Simon-Schama/dp/0679726101

(not as easy to read as the straight-ahead narrative stuff, but intriguing in the sociological sense)

as for historical fiction, frankly i wish i'd read more. an easy-to-read, hugely famous one was the scarlet pimpernel (and sequels). and there was another one i enjoyed that told the tale of the revolution from ordinary people's POV, but i can't remember the name at the moment.

[–] Cartimandua 14 years ago

I've just seen this film again after many years - it's wonderful.

My favourite fictional treatment of these characters is Hilary Mantel's "A Place of Greater Safety" - cannot recommend it highly enough. She's an astonishing writer. Few authors have her grasp of character and intelligence, or wit.

There was a recent BBC documentary, 90mins, called "Terror: Robespierre and the French Revolution" (Oct 2009). Also highly recommended, especially because of the passionate arguments put forward by some of the contributors, including Simon Schama, Slavoj Zizek and Hilary Mantel. There's a summary on wikipedia and it's also listed here on imdb. I don't know how anyone's supposed to see it now, but I'm sure it'll be broadcast again, and possibly around the world too. Enthralling TV non-fiction doesn't get any better. If the director had put Schama and Zizek in the same room, things would have got ugly!

[–] deeveed 14 years ago

Same here since it came out in the Criterion Collection. A great historical film by Wajda. I liked his treatment of looking at the Revolution mainly through the characters of Danton and Robespierre. The interesting thing was how Robespierre was portrayed in the film. I think he was a very conflicted individual but then went off the rails when "his" Revolution was being compromised by supposed traitors to that ideal. Initially, democratic and "for the people", events pushed him to compromise those principles and unleash the Terror. Fascinating to think what he thought before his death by the machine he sent many to.

[–] mikainen 13 years ago

I just saw it and, well, over-acting and silly symbolism (like Mrs. Desmoulin "strangling" herself after execution)and over-theatrical soundtrack made the film unintentionally funny. Plus the dubbing which tends to destroy any actors performance.

I wanted to like it and it had good things too but can not rate it better than 5/10

[–] stupid_genius713 13 years ago

She wasn't "strangling herself," that was part of the quiet protests nearing the end of the Terror. The ribbon/string was red to represent the guillotine cut through her neck. That was a growing trend until the end of the Reign of Terror.

And if you're like me, then you'll read this like it's part of the message too!

[–] stupid_genius713 13 years ago

There was a great article written by Darton (no that is NOT a typo, just a cool coincidence) that talked about the perspectives of the French historians and popular opinion about the Revolution which placed Robespierre and the Terror in a very positive light (the necessary step of the Revolution). So traditionalists were attacking Danton's historical quality in the representation of the main characters. However, new perspectives were already forming and battling with the old, and Danton pretty exemplified that new perspective.

And if you're like me, then you'll read this like it's part of the message too!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] thepalestfire 9 years ago

Wow! I have never heard of this one. Thank you Criterion for bringing it to my attention. Great cast, direction, cinematography and what a fantastic use of music that is quite unsettling.

Citing NASA as experts on these matters is like citing the KK on matters of race relations.
- rj