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La Symphonie fantastique
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Wikipedia article
'La Symphonie fantastique' is a 1942 French drama film by Christian-Jaque and produced by the German-controlled French film production company Continental Films. The film is based upon the life of the French composer Hector Berlioz. The title is taken from the five-movement programmatic 'Symphonie fantastique' of 1830. The film lasts around 90 minutes and was first shown at the 'Normandie' cinema in Paris on 1 April 1942. The posters at the premiere contained the sub-title 'La Vie passionne et glorieuse d'un gnie' (which links with the quote from Hugo at the very end of the film).
The French Bibliothque du film (BiFi) contains an earlier draft plan for the film which envisaged a less realistic, more fantastic treatment of the story, entitled 'La Symphonie du rve', with Pierre Fresnay in the central role.Tourre, Franck. L'image de Berlioz au regard du film 'La Symphonie fantastique'. Association Nationale Hector Berlioz - 'Bulletin de liaison' No 43 janvier 2009 ISSN 0243-3559, p28-40.
The cast included several members of the Comdie-Franaise (Barrault, Saint-Cyr, Seigner, Berthau, Delamare, Fonteney). Barrault took part in a BBC2 programme in 1969 on the centenary of the composer's death, as Berlioz again, and in the autobiographical Llio, sequel to the symphony.[http://www.hberlioz.com/others/March_1969.htm The Hector Berlioz Website - Centenary of Berliozs death on 8 March 1969- Commemorative programmes on the BBC] accessed 21 June 2015.
Shortly after the film was released, Goebbels, having learnt of it, was displeased, considering it too patriotic and determined to summon the German producer Alfred Greven to Berlin to remind him that the French should only have light and superficial new films and not cultivate French nationalism.
Synopsis
The film is biographical, telling the story of the life and artistic struggles of the French composer Hector Berlioz. Berlioz is shown as a recalcitrant medical student in an anatomy class dreaming of becoming a composer; at a demonstration during a performance at the Paris Opra conducted by Habeneck; at supper with other young artists (Hugo, Janin, Dumas, Mrime, Delacroix); and chasing after his future wife Harriet Smithson, after a performance of 'Hamlet'. Also depicted are his life in a garret, while suffering from an illness due to an abscess in the throat; a visit from his mother who curses him; and the composition of the 'Symphonie fantastique'. The film then shows his marital breakdown, the premiere of his opera 'Benvenuto Cellini', his travels throughout Europe, his second marriage to Marie Recio (called "Marie Martin" in the film), public acceptance in old age and reconciliation with his son.
The film makes a vivid recreation of important public sites: a lecture theatre at the Faculty of Medicine, backstage at the Thtre de l'Odon, the Paris Opera, Montmartre lanes as well as salons and cafs.
Cast
* Jean-Louis Barrault: Hector Berlioz
* Rene Saint-Cyr: Marie Martin
* Lise Delamare: Harriet Smithson
* Jules Berry: Maurice Schlesinger
* Bernard Blier: Antoine Charbonnel, friend of Berlioz
* Gilbert Gil: Louis Berlioz (son)
* Julien Bertheau: Victor Hugo
* Catherine Fonteney: Berliozs mother
* Louis Seigner: Franois Antoine Habeneck
* Louis Salou: opera director
* Georges Vitray: captain
* Jacques Dynam:
* Marcelle Monthil: Smithsons dresser
* Mona Dol: a maid
* Maurice Schutz: Niccol Paganini
* Pierre Magnier: anatomy lecturer
* Roland Armontel: Eugne Delacroix
* Jean Darcante: Prosper Mrime
* Ren Fluet: Jules Janin
* Georges Gosset: Alexandre Dumas
* Jo Davray: a student
* Georges Lafon: Russian minister
* Martial Rbe: Smithsons coachman
* Nol Roquevert: policeman
* Lucien Codel: printer
* Michel Vitold: conductor
* Georges Mauloy: the dean
Music
As well as the symphony, the music used in the film includes the 'Invitation to the Dance' by Weber, 'Romo et Juliette' (during the scene where Berlioz and Smithson fall in love), a staged excerpt from the first act of 'Benvenuto Cellini', the 'Rkczi March' from 'La damnation de Faust' and the 'Requiem'.
References
DVD release
In 2003 the film was re-issued by Ren Chateau Video.
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