The Night of Varennes (1982)

Very well executed

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

A really meaningful film from Ettore Scola. Scola captures France during the nearly surreal last moments of the reign of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. A group of disparate travelers take a coach through the French countryside (all for different reasons) and all come to various ends by nightfall. Jean-Louis Barrault is Nicolas-Edme Rétif de la Bretonne, the writer whose work consisted mainly of his sexual escapades. Hannah Schygulla is one of the Queen's ladies in waiting. Marcello Mastrioanni is a sad and decaying Chevalier de Seingalt (aka Casanova). It's a great movie full of insights into life, change, fear and loneliness. Barrault is excellent and Schygulla, looking absolutely ravishing, gives what has to be her best non-Fassbinder performance. The great, and ironically cast, Mastrioanni is brilliant. He's really sad, particularly when hiding out in a bathroom stall trying to pull himself together with lipstick & powder. Scola's direction is perfect and while the film could have become a boring talk-fest, it's never dull. Also featuring Harvey Keitel as the American Thomas Paine, Laura Betti as a foolish opera singer and, in a cameo, Jean-Louis Trintignant. The breathtaking cinematography is by Armando Nannuzzi.

I watched this film years ago shortly after it was released and being a movie-buff, enjoyed it greatly.Now, finally the film has been released in its entire length on DVD and blu-ray in France (some 25 mins. were cut for the VHS release for some reason) and I jumped at the possibility of watching this rare masterpiece again.I was not disappointed in ANY way. Although the story line is largely fictional, it does center round a real incident, namely the attempted escape of the French royal family in July 1791 and although we never actually SEE the royals, apart from a short glimpse of their feet, the whole story revolves around them and the French revolution.Onboard a stagecoach which is following the same route between Paris and the northern borders of France, we find an illustrious assembly of people, among them an Austrian countess and lady-in-waiting to the Queen (Hanna Schygulla), a philosopher/writer (Jean-Louis Barrault), an American freedom fighter, Thomas Paine (Harvey Keitel), and bordering at a later hour, the ageing Casanova, (Marcello Mastroianni). Last but not least, a widow on her way home to her estate (Andrea Ferreol), a judge, and an opera singer (Laura Betti).Along the hot and dusty way they argue about and discuss the French revolution and each and everyone present their opinion on "the new world" (as the film is originally titled in Italian), i.e. the new France after the revolution.Mastroianni who plays the role of the old, half-blind Casanova, is nothing short of fantastic. Along the way, in turn each of the women, even the Countess's hairdresser (Jean-Claude Brialy) as well, proposition him and offer him their hearts and towards the end you, the viewer, are totally and utterly prepared to do the same - he is simply stunning, seldom have I seen a more dignified and charming performance.Towards the end they catch up with the royal coach which has been stopped at Varennes by "the people" and so the film ends.If you do not want to watch this for the partly political content, at least watch it for the wonderful, dignified, elegant performances by everyone and enjoy a film dialogue which has seldom been so wittily and intelligently presented as it is here, lines delivered by superb actors and actresses, thoroughly enjoying themselves throughout. Please also refer to the glowering review below by Asa_Nisi_Masa2 from 2005, which whom I fully agree, a truly remarkable film.9* out of 10 - I will be sure to watch it again and again !

We really enjoyed this. Barrault and Mastroianni are terrific actors--did an outstanding job. The philosophical questions raised are still worth considering today, as the movie implies, and yet they are raised in an interesting and indirect way, so the viewer doesn't feel bludgeoned or lectured at.I was interested to discover that the flight to Varennes was in fact historical, though I could not discover whether Restif de Bretonnes (Barrault's character) was actually at the event and commented on first-hand knowledge. He did write extensively about life and events of the time. The interchange of ideas seemed natural, despite the apparent absurdity of finding all of them in the same coach at the same time. Sort of like those "if you could invite 5 historical figures to dinner at the same time" ideas.Very much worth seeing.

One of the most satisfying films I've seen. A bit obtuse but very well done if you are fond of tongue in cheek humor, outstanding portrayals, great direction and cinematography.The short version: This a whimsy that follows an aging Casanova and an eclectic group of Frenchmen as they travel through the French countryside in a coach during the time of the French Revolution. It's a comedy presented with delicacy and intellect and the cinematography is outstanding. It may or may not strike you as outstanding, as it did me, but it is so worth the time it will take to find it and see it two or three times.I just read the first posted review and had to laugh out loud. Aw shucks yawl, if it's so bad, why are copies on VHS selling for $300 to $400? I lost my copy to a friend who borrowed many times and never returned anything. Shame on her.If anyone knows where I can find a copy on VHS to dub, I'd be so appreciative. Thanks and do take a peek. "[email protected]".