Le Voyage du Capitaine Fracasse

Le Voyage Du Capitaine Fracasse is a made- for-French television production ('91). It is about the adventures of the young Baron de Sigognac (Perez). Broke and down on his luck, he joins a band of travelling thespians. Becoming a star comedian of the group, he soon changes to his new stage name, Capitaine Fracasse. He travels the 17th century French countryside along with the company of two charming and beautiful ladies (Beart and Muti). Music and laughs along with adventure, danger, and romance await!... Film director Ettore Scola takes us through a beautifully filmed journey through 17th century France. A well satisfying and entertaining piece of work, easily equaling and probably surpassing expensive studio film productions.

A group of vagrant actors is travelling through France by cart from the Pyrenees to Paris when they all hope to make their fortune. The last, penniless member of the Sigognac family leaves the castle of his forebears and decides to join the players because he has fallen in love with Isabella, the Company's Ingenue. The girl is very beautiful but in reality the Baron has been captured more by the Theatre rather than by the person. If Isabella had not been an actress, he would have let her go her way and have remained in his castle to suffer hunger in comfort rather than take to the roads of a broken-down cart. He becomes an actor and from then on dons the costume of Capitaine Fracassa. When Isabella is kidnapped by the "Don Rodrigo" of the moment, the Baron's grief is authentic, but it is mixed with a sense of satisfaction at seeing the theatrical plot thicken: the show must go on, and tomorrow there will be another performance, perhaps even truer and more keenly felt.

******

This movie is one of the best films the great Italian director, Ettore Scola has ever made. It also has a fantastic cast, all doing a great job, the late Massimo Troisi does a stunning performance as Pulcinella, a Sancho Panza sort of clown. This fantasy, dream-like tale, is based on the famous book by the same name by Théophile Gautier, the French author. This is actually the 5th movie adaptation of this novel, which must tell you something about its force to attract generations of film makers.

Vincent Perez plays Baron of Sigognac, a young royal, whose quest for material wealth brings him true love and revelations on the nature of this world. The plot themes are somewhat related to Stoppard's excellent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - both uses the traveling players to explore the nature of the human condition. One might also recall Bergman's Seventh Seal, but Fracassa is more akin of Stoppard's light hearted, witty, approach to those grave subjects. A truly exceptional, beautiful and entertaining film, a long standing achievement for all involved. Surely overdue for re-release?

Poster

CAST

Vincent Perez..............Baron de Sigognac Emmanuelle Beart...........................Isabella Massimo Troisi............................Pulcinelli Ornella Muti...................................Serafina Lauretta Masiero...............Lady Leonarde Massico Wertmuller......................Leandre Jean-Francois Perrier.................Matamore Tosca d' Aquino.............................Zerbina

CREDITS

Directed by..............................Ettore Scola Screenplay by.................Vincenzo Serami, Fulvio Octaviano & Silvia Scola
Based on the book Le Capitaine Fracasse by Theophile Gautier
Cinematography by......... Luciano Tovoli Music by.....................Armando Trovajoli

Premiered in France May 8, 1991

Video Rental or Purchase:

Rental available without subtitles at videofrance.com

More Photos

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With Ornella Muti

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With Emmanuelle Beart

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Maisimo Troisi and Ornella Muti