Elizabeth 

Genre: historical drama

With: Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth I), Christopher Eccleston (the Duke of Norfolk), Kathy Burke (Mary I), Richard Attenborough (Sir William Cecil), Joseph Fiennes (Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester), Geoffrey Rush (Sir Francis Walsingham), Fanny Ardant (Marie de Guise), Vincent Cassel (le duc d’Anjou)

Director: Shekhar Kapur

Release: 1998

Studio: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Working Title Films, Channel Four Films

Rating: 14

MBiS score: 8.4/10

‟Will You Leave Your Kingdom to a Heretic?”

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Story-line: two decades have passed since Henry VIII’s demise and England is now ruled by his daughter Mary. Having ‟Bloody Mary” on the throne is reassuring for English Catholics and the Holy See… but what would happen if Elizabeth, Mary’s Protestant half-sister, ever became queen?   

Pluses: excellent acting by Cate Blanchett and an all-star cast (Geoffrey Rush!), an electrifying screenplay by Michael Hirst, polished dialogues, fine direction and top-level production values.

Minuses: some have claimed that ELIZABETH takes liberties with historical events (and they may be right) but it’s such a dynamic film that I loved it anyway. Expect violence and persecution as the screenplay depicts a very brutal era in English history (from 1554 onward).

Comments: several years ago, I wrote a very enthusiastic review of LA REINE MARGOT – calling it a James Bond film from the Sixteenth century – and this one, although a bit less remarkable, is in the same vein. Religion, politics, the monarchy and love… ELIZABETH tackles hot button issues and does so in a vigorous, heart-stopping way.

MBiS

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Du rififi chez les hommes

Genre: crime drama (in black and white)

With: Jean Servais (Tony le Stéphanois), Carl Möhner (Jo le Suédois), Robert Manuel (Mario Ferrati), Marie Sabouret (Mado), Janine Darcey (Louise, Jo’s wife), Pierre Grasset (Louis Grutter), Robert Hossein (Rémi Grutter), Magali Noël (Viviane), Jules Dassin (Cesar from Milan), Claude Sylvain (Ida Ferrati)

Director: Jules Dassin

Release: 1955

Studio: Pathé-Consortium Cinéma, Indusfilms et al.

Rating: -16

MBiS score: 8.6/10

One Bauble More, One Bauble Too Many

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Story-line: when Tony le Stéphanois, barely out of jail, gets into a jam and is rescued by Jo le Suédois, Jo and his friend Mario tell him about a quickie robbery they’re planning and offer him a piece of the action. Tony says no, then accepts… but on his terms only. He won’t risk his neck for a few trinkets in a jewellery store window... he wants carats, lots and lots of carats.

Pluses: convincing acting all around (especially by Jean Servais as the tired-looking and deadly serious Tony), a twisty and detailed screenplay by Jules Dassin, René Wheeler and Auguste Le Breton (based on Le Breton’s novel), splendid cinematography (Philippe Agostini) that makes even grimy streets look gorgeous, impressive direction, tricky editing (Roger Dwyre), a powerful score (Georges Auric) and one extended heist scene that will put you in a trance.    

Minuses: none whatsoever.  

Comments: this was my first film by Jules Dassin (1911-2008) and I was astounded by its overall quality, buildup of tension and dénouement (by the way, the title DU RIFIFI CHEZ LES HOMMES, loosely translated as ‟Mayhem Among the Men”, refers to a meaningful song featured on the soundtrack). As is typically the case in crime films, most of the action revolves around the men – and a charismatic bunch they are – but the women are also important, each of them a stunner in her own special way. Uh? You don’t like caper flicks generally? Make an exception… this time around.   

MBiS

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Il Conformista 

English title: Conformist (the)

Also known as: Conformiste (le)

Genre: character study

With: Jean-Louis Trintignant (Marcello Clerici), Stefania Sandrelli (his wife Giulia), Gastone Moschin (Manganiello), Enzo Tarascio (Professor Quadri), Dominique Sanda (Anna Quadri), Pierre Clémenti (Pasqualino)

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci

Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci from a novel by Alberto Moravia

Release: 1970

Studio: Mars Film, Marianne Productions, Maran Film

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.9/10

Follow the Leader, Follow Il Duce

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Story-line: the setting is Italy (and also France) during the late 1930s. Marcello Clerici, still rattled by an incident from his youth, has dedicated himself to living as ‟normally” as he can. For him, ‟normalcy” means two things: accepting married life with Giulia (even though he doesn’t love her all that much) and working as a henchman for Mussolini’s fascist machine.  

Pluses: strong acting and direction, a brilliant and ambiguous screenplay that develops powerful political and sexual themes, lovely photography, a pertinent musical score, top-grade production values (locations, costumes and sets).

Minuses: none I can think of, but don’t expect any laughs from this heartless film (one late scene involving Marcello, Anna and Manganiello is especially revolting).

Comments: THE CONFORMIST composes the intellectually fascinating portrait of a chameleon-like character (opportunist? hypocrite?) who caters to the powers that be in an effort to forget past traumas. Dare I say it’s a masterpiece?

MBiS

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