Danton
Director: Andrzej Wajda
Year Released: 1983
Rating: 2.0
Reductionistic and historically dubious account of the clash between two key members of the French Revolution: Georges Danton (Gérard Depardieu) and Robespierre (Wojciech Pszoniak). Specifics are skirted - read a book if you want those damn facts and ideological details - so Wajda can turn it into a battle of opposites (which is all you need to know): Danton, blustery! Extroverted! Robespierre, reserved! Introverted! Danton is loved by the people and loves the people! Robespierre could care less about the people! Danton drinks wine and has known the touch of woman! Robespierre rarely drinks and is rumored to have never known the touch of a woman! Danton: big, strong! Robespierre: frail, ghostly! Speeches made directly into the camera were pointedly directed at the Polish government at the time, which was busy smashing down the opposition and - despite the volume of Depardieu's voice - not listening.
