Film Details

Tired of genteel, middlebrow historical dramas? Then check out Patrice Chéreau’s rip-roaring Queen Margot, whichrenders history as Grand Guignol. Sexual power plays, poisoning, beheadings, and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre are all depicted with gleeful gusto in this deluxe drama, set during the 16^th century, about Catholics and Protestant Huguenots wrestling for control of France. Based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas, this film with a spectacular all-star cast (Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Vincent Perez, Virna Lisi, et al.) was nominated for 12 César Awards and won five. Tampered with by the original U.S. distributor, Miramax Films, who cut 16 minutes and added a scene, the film is now being released in America for the first time in its uncut version. “A model of heaving, combustible history, in which period lavishness and performance energy aren't mutually exclusive.” –L.A. Times (2014).