Delirio d'amore

The scene when Berlioz writes "La Symphonie Fantastique" shows Gance's "Un Grand Amour De Beethoven " influence.But unlike Gance's work,Christian-Jaque film is more linear ,more academic (not meant pejoratively) Goebbels considered the film which infuriated him a patriotic film,enhancing the French past:in a scene at the beginning ,some FRench glories (or not-yet-ones) are gathered :Victor Hugo ,Alexandre Dumas ,Prosper Mérimée,Georges Delacroix the painter and the musician.That spirit recalls Guitry's spirit ("De Jeanne d'Arc à Petain" ) but in less reactionary form and with plenty of youth and enthusiasm, whereas Guitry's sounded like a dirge.

Jean-Louis Barrault is excellent as ever and there's a good supporting cast including Bernard Blier,Renée Saint-Saint-Cyr,Jules Berry as a cupid editor and Gilbert Gil as his son Louis (who,sadly died shortly after Marie).The weakness of the film lies in the fact that he seems to hit the big time overnight ;some lines on the screen and a spate of names of capitals are not enough to make us understand why Berlioz's music was finally praised to the skies.

A large part of the film is devoted to Berlioz's music.

Like this? try these.....

"Un Grand Amour de Beethoven" ,by Abel Gance

"D'Homme à Homme" ,by Christian Jaque ,also starring Barrault as the founder of the Red Cross

"La Part de l'Ombre" by Jean Delannoy,also starring Barrault.