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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka 'Let Joy Reign Supreme')
directed by
Bertrand Tavernier
France 1974
Bertrand Tavernier's (LIFE AND NOTHING BUT) LET JOY
REIGN SUPREME, is a "rich, ambitious" (Newsweek), extraordinarily detailed and
character-dense look at French monarchy, diplomacy and debauchery on the
threshold of bloody insurrection. Tavernier's favorite leading man Philippe
Noiret (LIFE AND NOTHING BUT, CINEMA PARADISO) plays the infamous Philippe
d'Orleans, uncrowned king of a nation divided by appalling poverty and riddled
with greed and conspiracy.
In the year 1720, Philippe d¹Orleans rules France as regent to the late Louis
XIV's pre-teen heir. Socially liberal but financially reckless, Philippe stokes
his treasury with profits from France's American colonies Louisiana and
Mississippi, even while attempting to administer domestic justice with a
slightly even hand. But Philippe's strongest allegiance is to a barely concealed
private life of outrageous hedonism and sexual appetites. Witness and
provocateur in both whorehouse debauches and court functions is Abbé Dubois
(Jean Rochefort), Philippe's scheming would-be archbishop. When a hapless
noble's one man secession lands him at the steps of the Paris gallows, Dubois'
lust for power and Philippe's obsession with his beautiful young goddaughter
create a political pressure cooker that could lead to invasion, revolt or war.
Rochefort's brilliant turn as the gleefully treacherous Dubois and Christine
Pascal as Philippe's orgy accomplice and confidant Emilie lead a supporting cast
of bottomless enthusiasm and charisma. A miraculous fusion of unabashed
ribaldry, even-handed history, extravagant production values and directorial
restraint, LET JOY REIGN SUPREME "is sumptuously beautiful, delightfully
intelligent, genuinely wicked and witty." (The New Republic)
Posters
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Theatrical Release: November 7th, 1975 - Finland
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Recommended Reading in French Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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The Films in My Life |
French Cinema: A Student's Guide by Philip Powrie, Keith Reader |
Agnes Varda by Alison Smith | Godard on Godard : Critical Writings by Jean-Luc Godard | Notes on the Cinematographer by Robert Bresson |
Robert Bresson (Cinematheque Ontario Monographs, No.
2) by James Quandt |
The Art of Cinema by Jean Cocteau |
French New Wave
by Jean Douchet, Robert Bonnono, Cedric Anger, Robert Bononno |
French Cinema: From Its Beginnings to the Present by Remi Fournier Lanzoni |
Check out more in "The Library"
DVD Review: Kino Video - Region 1- NTSC
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| Distribution | Kino Video - Region 1- NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:54:08 | |
| Video | 1.65:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.51 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) | |
| Subtitles | English, None | |
| Features |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Theatrical
Trailer (3:09) |
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| Comments: |
This DVD has some
weaknesses. I have
nothing to compare it to at present, but strongly suspect it is from a
PAL source. It has all the earmarks of 'ghosting' in motion sequences.
Although colors are vibrant at times, I can't help thinking they must
pale in comparison to the theatrical print. This transfer does look a
little hazy. Audio was also on the weak end and extras are quite limited.
This is an interesting film and one that will surely get a better
treatment, even if it is out of NTSC.
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| Distribution | Kino Video - Region 1- NTSC | |
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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
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Gary Tooze
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