O Retorno de Martin Guerre

This is the true story of a peasant in 16th century France who left his home village for almost a decade without saying a word to anyone, even his long suffering wife. When he comes home he's different; he's better. He's sweeter, more helpful, he smiles, hell - he laughs. Martin was never so good. Then comes the day a couple of drifters hit the village. They claim to know Martin but by a different name. That was the first chink in the armor. Things become so uncertain that he is finally put on trial to ascertain who this guy is. This is a loving microhistory intimately telling the story of life on a southern French farm after the wars of religion. It is superbly directed and acted, especially by the two leads, Gérard Depardieu and Nathalie Baye.

After about thirteen or fourteen years I finally was able to see this film again, this time in French with subtitles, not dubbed into German. There was nothing wrong with the German version, the film certainly didn't fail to impress me so much, that I declared this film to be the best Gérard Depardieu has ever done. I think I still have the same opinion, although meanwhile it ties with Les Misérables.

Now today I watched it again. I couldn't remember anything really, just parts of scenes and what happened at the end, of course. But then everything came back. The music suddenly seemed familiar, the village, the faces. I still was surprised to see Tcheky Karyo's name in the credits at the end, because I missed him completely, while I recognized Dominique Pinon at once, much younger of course. Again I stood in awe of the costumes and the village scenery. Everything was so convincing and realistic. As if someone had done a time travel and brought back a video. After The Name of the Rose this is the best period film till now. In the art department. But also certainly in acting, writing and directing.

Gérard Depardieu and Nathalie Baye deliver performances which are outstanding. Every acting student should watch them, they are masters of their profession. They show emotions which are almost palpable, you feel with them, certainly towards the end, but also during the rest of the time. The script offered them "only" great parts and they created lives out of the printed words. Every gesture, every movement, every look fits and connects the viewer with the story. As if you're in the story, not watching it. There is no doubt whatsoever that this story is real. Even if history should have been a bit different (which I don't know), the story in the film feels real.

And I just want to add that everyone who calls M. Depardieu ugly or anything like it, is not only extremely rude but obviously not receptive to any kind of charisma and aura. With actors (as with people in general, right?) looks are not important. Whoever thinks that, should switch from watching films to watching models. There he can get empty beauty.

My recommendation is: watch this film. You can hardly spend an evening in a better way. 10 out of 10.

One of my favorite movies, even if the ending is a heartbreaker. Every Depardieu fan should have a copy - in French, not dubbed. You can't help but like the returning Martin, as played by Depardieu. His talent at facial expression is wonderful. The courtroom scene is his best - check out the look he gives the wife as she steps forward to select the correct Martin.

This isn't a comment on the actual quality of the movie itself, but rather a response to the number of postings which have suggested this movie is not an original concept.

I have some shocking news for you, but there really was a Martin Guerre. His court case in the mid-16th century is well documented in primary sources and this movie attempts to retell this story.

In 1983, historian Natalie Zemon Davis, who incidentally was originally involved with the film as an historical consultant, wrote a well received micro-history on the court case and it's outcome. (The Return of Martin Guerre - published by Harvard University Press, 1983)

This case was thought of as unusual even during the 16th century. So much so, that it became part of French folklore. Earlier Hollywood movies likely tapped into this folklore, when they penned similar stories.

So this film, rather than simply being another in a long line of similar movies, is the first to tackle the "original story". That being said, the movie is not perfect and strays from the facts a great deal. Natalie Zemon Davis, herself, states in her introduction to her book that she was troubled by the film's creative license with history.

Nevertheless, I recommend anyone to see this film yourself and make up your own mind. Better yet, read the book!

I always enjoy watching French movies, and this one's no exception. In my opinion, this is a very beautiful movie. I love the romance, and the great performances enhance it to the maximum effect. This drama is very well made that you feel emotionally helpless on the mercy of the director. You get involved up to the point that you expect (want) things to work out like you want them to be but you really can't predict what's going to happen next.

The film tells about a true 16th century story about a man Martin Guerre who comes back to his village and family after an eight-years leave to a war. Everybody's really happy that he's come back that nobody questions the changes or differences after that long eight years; until someday a vagabond says that he's not Martin Guerre. The villagers start to think the possibility that he may not be the man he claims to be.

For me the film is about our judgment, our perception, our interpretation, our motive. It's about adding a human value to the rules, ethics, customs, and law that hold our society together. Sometimes what's right is wrong and what's wrong is right. In other words, sometimes we're looking for a 'humane' solution. You'll understand what I mean after you watch this movie.

The casting is wonderful, especially the casting of Nathalie Baye as Martin's wife. Something in her eyes perfectly reflects her character's sad life. She's beautiful. I imagine it's going to be very hard not to sympathize with her. Just watch this movie. I hope you'll be touched and enjoy it as much as I did.