This film recaps dramatically one of the most important parts of the revolution. Prior to 1794, Danton and Robespierre had been friends and political Allies. Danton led the Paris commune with the sans-culottes whereas Robespierre was undisputed leader of the left wing jacobin club. Both were members of the Montegnard and used populism to push out rival factions like the girodins and to execute the former king Louis XVI.
Personally, the two men were total opposites in demeanor. Danton was a tad cliché as a Frenchman who loved his women and wine as much as a party. Whereas Robespierre was a workoholic prude who put his virtuous man into practice by obstaining from luxury or even marriage to live as a sort of civil servant monk.
Soon after their victories within the French state, many plots unraveled to sour the two men politically. Danton stepped down from the Commitee of Public Safety right as the reign of terror started bubbling over in French society. Robespierre entered the committee and became the leader, although the other members were just as guilty for the crimes of the terror.
The film begins right as Danton had returned to Paris to reenter politics. He finds however his position has been considerably weakened and cannot see eye-to-eye with Robespierre's vision. There is little trust between the two; Danton sees Robespierre as uncompromising and tyrannical; Robespierre sees Danton as corrupt and a potential dictator himself with his populist appeal. The two attempt to reconcile to no avail.
This is the interesting aspect of the film is the reality of these two heroes of the revolution going from friends to enemies. A very poignant scene occurs when Danton is received by adorning crowds as he exited his carriage while Robespierre is looking down from the third floor of his Paris apartment.
As the committee of public safety debates arresting Danton, Robespierre remains on-the-fence. As rumors, accusations of corruption and counter-revolution circulation Paris, Robespierre makes a final plea to Danton and later Desmoulins. Neither are receptive, however.
Finally Robespierre, seeing his own downfall in the decision, agrees to the arrest. A show trial hastily proceeds to the predetermined verdict. Danton then meets madame la guillotine.
The consequences and lessons from the first French republic are still extremely relevant to today. Wealth inequality, justice, virtue, terror, despotism, the role of government and many other aspects of the revolution began as seeds here in the practical (and in the theoretical in the enlightenment). Unlike the American revolution that also bore from out of the enlightenment, the French state was already politically heterogeneous and misgovernment and stagnation had left deep wounds within the nation. This film captures some of the lost promise of that revolution and how it imploded. Highly recommended film.
Personally, the two men were total opposites in demeanor. Danton was a tad cliché as a Frenchman who loved his women and wine as much as a party. Whereas Robespierre was a workoholic prude who put his virtuous man into practice by obstaining from luxury or even marriage to live as a sort of civil servant monk.
Soon after their victories within the French state, many plots unraveled to sour the two men politically. Danton stepped down from the Commitee of Public Safety right as the reign of terror started bubbling over in French society. Robespierre entered the committee and became the leader, although the other members were just as guilty for the crimes of the terror.
The film begins right as Danton had returned to Paris to reenter politics. He finds however his position has been considerably weakened and cannot see eye-to-eye with Robespierre's vision. There is little trust between the two; Danton sees Robespierre as uncompromising and tyrannical; Robespierre sees Danton as corrupt and a potential dictator himself with his populist appeal. The two attempt to reconcile to no avail.
This is the interesting aspect of the film is the reality of these two heroes of the revolution going from friends to enemies. A very poignant scene occurs when Danton is received by adorning crowds as he exited his carriage while Robespierre is looking down from the third floor of his Paris apartment.
As the committee of public safety debates arresting Danton, Robespierre remains on-the-fence. As rumors, accusations of corruption and counter-revolution circulation Paris, Robespierre makes a final plea to Danton and later Desmoulins. Neither are receptive, however.
Finally Robespierre, seeing his own downfall in the decision, agrees to the arrest. A show trial hastily proceeds to the predetermined verdict. Danton then meets madame la guillotine.
The consequences and lessons from the first French republic are still extremely relevant to today. Wealth inequality, justice, virtue, terror, despotism, the role of government and many other aspects of the revolution began as seeds here in the practical (and in the theoretical in the enlightenment). Unlike the American revolution that also bore from out of the enlightenment, the French state was already politically heterogeneous and misgovernment and stagnation had left deep wounds within the nation. This film captures some of the lost promise of that revolution and how it imploded. Highly recommended film.