The Princess of Montpensier

THE PRINCESS OF MONTPENSIER is a gripping and gorgeously mounted 16th-century romantic drama by veteran filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier (SAFE CONDUCT, ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT), starring Lambert Wilson (OF GODS AND MEN), Gaspard Ulliel (A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT), Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet (ARMY OF CRIME), and introducing radiant young actress Mélanie Thierry. THE PRINCESS OF MONTPENSIER screened in competition at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival as well as the 2010 Telluride Film Festival and AFI FEST in Los Angeles.

France, 1562. Against a background of the savage Catholic/Protestant wars, Marie de Mézières (Mélanie Thierry), a beautiful young aristocrat, and the rakish Henri de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel) fall in love, but Marie's father has promised her hand in marriage to the Prince of Montpensier (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet). When he is called away to battle, her husband leaves her in the care of Count Chabannes (Lambert Wilson), an aging nobleman with a disdain for warfare. As he experiences his own forbidden desire for Marie, Chabannes must also protect her from the dangerously corrupt court dominated by Catherine de Medici. Tavernier translates Madame de Lafayette’s 1622 novella into a bracingly intelligent and moving evocation of the terrible conflict between duty and passion. Though the themes are classic, Tavernier, with the cinematographer Bruno de Keyzer’s vivid landscapes and Philippe Sarde’s pulsing score, makes them feel passionately, urgently contemporary.

“A sweeping and romantic historical epic…Court intrigue, romantic scheming and awesome battle scenes set in the civil war between the Catholics and Huguenots.” - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“(A) lush, unsentimental take on the historical romance.” - Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

“Impresses from start to finish. Tavernier handles it with the assurance characteristic of his finest work.” - Geoff Andrew, Time Out London