The Return of Martin Guerre

Director: Daniel Vigne Daniel Vigne

Overview

This film is set in France during the Hundred Years' War. Imagining herself a widow, Nathalie Baye is astonished when her husband Gerard Depardieu returns after nine years. However, Nathalie and neighbors suspect that Depardieu is an imposter -- especially since he's become a much nicer person.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/22/2019
UPC:	0191329123638
Original Release:	1982
Source:	Cohen Media Group
Language:	English
Time:	1:52:00
Sales rank:	55,221

Special Features

A discussion with actress Nathalie Baye; Original trailer; Restoration trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gerard Depardieu	Arnaud de Tihl
Nathalie Baye	Bertrande de Rols
Pierre Donnadieu	Martin Guerre,Young Martin Guerre
Roger Planchon	Jean de Coras
Maurice Jacquemont	Judge Rieux
Isabelle Sadoyan	Catherine Boere
Rose Thiery	Raimonde de Rols
Maurice Barrier	Pierre Guerre
Stephane Peau	Young Martin
Sylvie Meda	Young Bertrande
Chantal Deruaz	Jeanne
Valerie Chassigneaux	Guillemette
Tcheky Karyo	Augustin
Dominique Pinon	Antoine
Adrien Duquesne	Sanxi
Andre Chaumeau	The Cure
Philippe Babin	Jacques
Francis Arnaud	Le Grêlé
Axel Bogousslavsky	Actor
Neige Dolsky	Actor
Gilbert Gilles	Actor
Jean-Claude Perrin	Actor
Alain Recoing	Actor
René Bouloc	Actor
Alain Frerot	Actor
Andre Delon	Actor
Daniele Loo	Actor
Marcel Champel	Actor
Yvette Petit	Actor
Jean Julliac	Actor
Guy Bertrand	Actor
Jean-Paul Barathieu	Actor
Bruno Bentegeac	Actor
Pierre Bouchet	Actor
Francis Chevillon	Actor
Andre D'Avant-Cour	Actor
Christian Fiter	Actor
Daniel Giraud	Actor
Guy Jacquet	Actor
Roger Payrot	Actor
Michel Portal	Composer

Technical Credits

Daniel Vigne

Jean-Claude Carrière

Daniel Vigne	Director,Producer,Screenwriter
Jean-Claude Carrière	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Daniel Vigne's Le Retour de Martin Guerre is a beguiling mystery of identity, memory, perception, and how the passage of time can blur all three. The key to its intrigue is the performance of Gerard Depardieu, whose alternately familiar and remote Martin keeps the audience flip flopping about whether to believe his story or distrust it. His character is occasionally greedy and shifty-eyed, which to some is evidence of his status as an impostor -- to others, these are traits displayed in spades by Martin before he left, and they aren't present enough for this to be the man himself. A slow beginning is quickly redeemed by the contentious debate that dominates the film, which produces mounting evidence on either side that this either must be or must not be Martin Guerre. Complicating matters are the repercussions on Martin's wife, played with long-suffering patience by Nathalie Baye, who, according to 16th century religious custom, would be damned to Hell if she had been mistakenly sleeping with a man other than her husband for years. The deliberations of the magistrates charged with settling the case are also fascinating. In keeping with Vigne's reputation as a perfectionist, the era is painstakingly re-created, and shot with style and beauty. The film also marks the screen debut of prominent French character actor Tcheky Karyo.