The madwoman of Chaillot (film)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The madwoman of Chaillot |
| Original title | The Madwoman of Chaillot |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1969 |
| length | 132 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 16 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Bryan Forbes |
| script |
Edward Anhalt Maurice Valency |
| production | Ely A. Landau |
| music | Michael J. Lewis |
| camera |
Burnett Guffey Claude Renoir |
| cut | Roger Dwyre |
| occupation | |
| |
The Madness of Chaillot is a 1968 American film with a star cast led by Katharine Hepburn in the role of the quirky titular heroine . In this adaptation of the play of the same name by Jean Giraudoux led Bryan Forbes Director.
action
Giraudoux's allegorical story about unscrupulous traders and hagglers from the time of the German occupation of France (1940–1944) has been relocated to the modern age.
At the center of the plot is a grumpy, quirky, elderly lady named Aurelia, a somewhat worn out and decrepit but good-natured countess, who supports her greedy opponents who are only interested in their own advantage - a general, a commissioner, a chairman and a prospector, all of them nameless, elderly gentlemen - has declared war. At Aurelia's side are the so-called “losers of society”: “little people” and have-nots like the rag picker and Aurelia's no longer very young friends Constance and Gabrielle as well as the very old Josephine.
In the specific case, it is about an oil well that the prospector opened in the middle of Paris and now wants to exploit with the help of his cronies. The “lunatic from Chaillot”, as Aurelia is called because of her sometimes strange appearances, and her colleagues learn about this project from the young activist Roderick and want to defend themselves against their tranquil, livable and lovable part of the city falling into the hands of these rigorous exploiters and soldier of fortune falls. There is a "court hearing" held at the Countess', in which Josephine takes over the management and the rag collector takes over the defense of the accused. The judgment is made and very harsh.
Aurelia lures the greedy traders to her with a ruse and locks them forever in her dark basement, from which there is no escape back to the upper world. It's the dark, stinking dungeon of Paris, the sewer and underworld. Chaillot and the other Parisian districts are thereby protected from the attack of the destroyers who only think of their profit, and Aurelia's sense of justice is satisfied. With Roderick and the simple washing-up mummy Irma, the madwoman of Chaillot finally brought two young hearts together.
Production notes
The Madness of Chaillot was made in Hollywood (studio shots , camera: Burnett Guffey ) as well as in southern France and Paris (outdoor shots, camera: Claude Renoir ) and was premiered on October 12, 1969. The German premiere took place in December of the same year.
The splendid costumes were designed by Rosine Delamare , the film by Ray Simm.
Director Forbes and supporting actress Nanette Newman were married to each other.
Danny Kaye subsequently stopped making movies.
Reviews
"The remnants of Giraudoux's little quirky play can still be seen in Edward Anhalt's disgusting modernization, and a number of famous actors can be recognized despite their appearances here."
"Unfortunate failure (...) The outstanding cast was wasted in a difficult allegory that just doesn't work."
“A highly theatrical quirk that somehow lacks humor would never have been tackled as a film material. Ultimately nothing more than an all-star extravaganza. "
“Show-like film adaptation of the play in which the beggars, led by the" crazy "Countess of Chaillot, put an end to the rich, who enslave the poor through their sophisticated financial transactions. Giraudoux's socio-political intentions are misunderstood by this flavourful consumer film, and even turned into the opposite. The lacquered design and the cleverly used fashionable elements ensure some cinematic quality. "
Individual evidence
Web links
- The Madwoman of Chaillot in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- extensive review in The New York Times