Apart from the swashbuckling and the distracting beauty of Marie Gillain, this film has two particular merits.
1. Daniel Auteuil - who demonstrates a noble character who plays so well the part of the hunchback, and in such contrast to his portrayal of tragic Ugolin in Jean de Florette / Manon des Sources.
2. Fabrice Luchini - who must truly rank among the finest villains ever portrayed on screen and whose final comeuppance is difficult to see without a cry of "YES!".
I would hazzard that this is watchable even if one does not understand French. The action and characterisation carry it along so well.
As an introduction to the sheer quality of French cinema, this is a very good place to start.
1. Daniel Auteuil - who demonstrates a noble character who plays so well the part of the hunchback, and in such contrast to his portrayal of tragic Ugolin in Jean de Florette / Manon des Sources.
2. Fabrice Luchini - who must truly rank among the finest villains ever portrayed on screen and whose final comeuppance is difficult to see without a cry of "YES!".
I would hazzard that this is watchable even if one does not understand French. The action and characterisation carry it along so well.
As an introduction to the sheer quality of French cinema, this is a very good place to start.