Danton

Tremendous and Tragic
I have a soft spot for Wajda's films but this one beats them all. The knife-edge politics, the ulcer-inducing decision making and the ultimate question... did he simply misjudge the situation or did his arrogance drag him down? What makes this film particularly poignant is that it is contemporary with the events taking place in Poland; Solidarity and martial law. Wajda cleverly casts Polish actors as the coldly focussed Robespierre party and Frenchmen as the over-idealistic and headstrong followers of Danton. The chemistry works. One lovely touch is that Wajda casts Franciszek Starowieyski, a great contemporary Polish artist and designer in the role of Jacques Louis David, the great painter of the Revolution. This is a must see film.

Light and dust of history
The lingering impression of "Danton" is one of almost unbearably bright light, whiteness and dust swirling in rays of cold sunlight. When I want to cite an example of history brought to real, physical, wrinkled, dusty, sweaty life, I refer to "Danton". I'm not a Gerard Depardieu fan--he tends too much to be always playing Gerard Depardieu--but he has a knack for getting into some of the greatest films. While his Danton here seems overblown and hero-ized (he was cheek-by-jowl with Robespierre most of the time, after all--why did it take him all this time to realize that bad things were happening?), the actors surrounding him render some remarkable performances. The standout is Wojciech Pszoniak as Robespierre. His chilling intensity as the impressario of the Reign of Terror is most of the time conveyed by his eyes. One almost can believe that one is seeing Robespierre himself. He gives a complex, sincere and at times even sympathetic portrayal of a zealot who is beginning to realize that the Revolution has gotten out of control--that catastrophe is inevitable--yet keeps increasing the pitch of the Terror because he doesn't know what else to do. Also excellent are Patrice Chéreau as the earnest and eventually disillusioned Desmoulins, Roger Planchon as the jaded Fouquier-Tinville, and Serge Merlin as Philippeaux. One scene leaves a particularly strong impression. Desmoulins and Philippeaux are in prison together, awaiting trial. Philippeaux is all the while reading a small volume, as if detached and uninterested in what's happening. Desmoulins desperately asserts, "I have a right to live!" Philippeaux replies flatly, "Men have the rights they can defend," and resumes reading. He knows that it will be a political show trial, and that justice has nothing to do with it. What a chilling answer to the florid idealism of the American Revolution. The most glaring weakness of this film is the poor dubbing that was done for Pszoniak. Perhaps as a Polish actor portraying a keystone French personality, the director/producer felt they had to have a fluent French voice. However, I would twenty times rather hear Pszoniak's real voice, whatever it sounded like, than be distracted by the obvious mismatch of lip movements and words. He made this movie great, and it's almost painful to see him undermined by bad dubbing. NOTE: Costumes & surroundings are not only authentic, but feel REAL--the minutiae and clutter of real life. In terms of historical set detail and clothing, this film blows all others out of the water. Pity there isn't a US-compatible DVD available

A Lesson In Movie Making
It is a really fantastic movie. One of Wajda's best and one of Depardieu's best. The movie is set in post-Revolution France, in which two groups, one headed by Danton (Depardieu) and one by Robespierre (Wodjciech Pszoniak) who also give a great performance. The movie is a metaphor for how the persuit of power can make a once idealistic movement into the same dictatorship it has overthrown. It is something that has been repeated all throughout history. Robespierre, one of the leaders of the revolution has become the leader of France once the Revolution has ended. Danton, another of the Revolution's leaders, still, is a very popular figure and has a lot of power. Robespierre has started to round up and execute any opposition. Danton decides to return to the public spectrum to challenge Robespierre's tyrannical rule and bring rights to the people. Danton makes a moving argument, but in the end he, himself, is captured and executed. The movie ends with Robespierre being named dictator for life. The acting in superb, especially from Depardieu who gives a powerhouse performance as the extremely charismatic Danton, courageous until the end. The movie is a story of a great tragedy. It is one of the greatest historical movies of all time, in my opinion. It is a crime that it hasn't been released on DVD.

In the Way to the Scaffold.
Andrzej Wajda is one of the best Pole filmmaker. He has delivered more than 40 movies, many of them multi-awarded and with critic's acclaim. His beginnings were under very restricted conditions in his native Poland, low budget and censored thematic. Even thou he managed to create powerful art pieces. Only as a sample we may mention: "Kanal" (1957) a war drama; the poetical and stark "The Birch Wood" (1970); Oscar nominated "The Promised Land" (1975); Cannes Golden Palm nominated "Without Anesthesia" (1978). "Danton" (1983) is a French-Pole co production, allowing Wajda to use a liberal budget. He uses it wisely and gives the audience an amazing film. Remarkable points are: historically accurate, from costume designs, every day life depiction, dialogues, political situation, social tensions till main characters. Construction of an impeccable dramatic structure showing two Giants and their entourage in collision route and the results of the showdown. The viewer is presented with a human and realistic Robespierre, not the usual stereotype but a credible passionate human being. His passion is an ideal: The Revolution and nothing will stop him. Danton in the other hand is a visceral mass leader given to enjoy very earthly pleasures, but nonetheless a compromised revolutionary. At that time in that spot and position there is no place for both of them and tragedy is unavoidable. Gerard Depardieu as Danton and Wojciech Pszoniac as Robespierre give an outstanding performance and a true reconstruction of the men they incarnate. The supporting cast is at par with them. Special mention must be done for Igor Luther's cinematography and the costume design done by Yvonne Sassinot de Nesle. This last one is a specialist in "epoch wardrobe" she has designed the costumes for "Vatel" (2000), "Casanova's Return" (1992) and "Adieu Bonaparte" (1985). It is a great movie recommended for history buffs, but also to anyone that wants to see a human drama. Do not miss it! Reviewed by Max Yofre.