Renz
An Army of One
Directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau and released in 1996, The Horseman on the Roof was rumored to have been the most expensive film ever shot in France up until that time. It was adapted from a novel by Jean Giono (Chandler Mike etc. please let it go) and the story takes place in 1830's France.
It is 1832 and Napoleon has been deposed. Austria is trying to take over Italy and many Italian patriots have fled to France. A young Italian revolutionary named Angelo (Olivier Martinez) is on the run from Austrian agents as well as a cholera epidemic that was sweeping Europe at that time. Forced into France to try and find his compatriots, Angelo seekd refuge in the home of the mysterious Pauline (Juliette Binoche), and the two begin to grow close.
As cholera sweeps across France, Angelo must also flee the local populace, who fear him as a carrier of the disease. Together with Pauline, the two strike out across the countryside, each in search of their own objective.
This film has spectacular action scenes, as well as romantic moments between the two stars and film does a good job of blending the two. The visuals and photography are also stunning.
There are some slow moments when characters spend stretches of time in monologues, reminiscing about characters we have never seen before, but otherwise the pacing is very quick.
The film is in French, but don't be deterred. This is a truly great adventure.
It is 1832 and Napoleon has been deposed. Austria is trying to take over Italy and many Italian patriots have fled to France. A young Italian revolutionary named Angelo (Olivier Martinez) is on the run from Austrian agents as well as a cholera epidemic that was sweeping Europe at that time. Forced into France to try and find his compatriots, Angelo seekd refuge in the home of the mysterious Pauline (Juliette Binoche), and the two begin to grow close.
As cholera sweeps across France, Angelo must also flee the local populace, who fear him as a carrier of the disease. Together with Pauline, the two strike out across the countryside, each in search of their own objective.
This film has spectacular action scenes, as well as romantic moments between the two stars and film does a good job of blending the two. The visuals and photography are also stunning.
There are some slow moments when characters spend stretches of time in monologues, reminiscing about characters we have never seen before, but otherwise the pacing is very quick.
The film is in French, but don't be deterred. This is a truly great adventure.
