On Guard
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Movie Reviews of On Guard
Movie Review: A Stylish, Witty French Swashbuckler With The Great Daniel Auteuil
Summary: 4 Stars
From the DVD case of the movie under its French title, Le Bossu (The Hunchback), which is more satisfyingly overwrought than I could manage: When his great friend the Duke of Nevers is slain in a dastardly assassination plot by the Count Gonzague, fencing master Lagardere swears he will avenge the Duke's death and take care of the Duke's beloved orphaned daughter, Aurore. Sixteen years later, after secretly hiding with a touring theater group and raising the baby to young womanhood, Lagardere returns to the sumptuous Parisian courts to honor his deadly oath. Disguising himself as Gonzague's hunchback manservant, Lagardere infiltrates the Count's entourage and waits for his moment to strike and triumph over the traitorous forces of evil.
This is a first-rate swashbuckler that takes place in 18th century France. There's great sword play, a strong story, cunning disguises, some effective villains and a terrific acting job by Daniel Auteuil as Lagardere. The other actors are no slouches either, and there is a small but funny and effective part by Phillipe Noiret as an aging and selfishly charming Duke of Orleans.
Auteuil is an extraordinary actor with ordinary looks. Check out his role as Yves Montand's nephew in Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring, then see him as the captain in The Widow of St. Pierre, then see him in this. Completely different roles and completely believable performances.
Some might be a bit squeamish toward the end at the sight of a 16-year-old crumpet passionately kissing a fortyish man. In this case, the man also has been her guardian and has taken care of her for nearly all of those years...and they live happily ever after. Ah, the French.
The DVD disc I have looks great. This is a movie worth getting if you like sword play, wit, heiresses restored to their fortunes and justice winning out.
Movie Review: A Period Spectacle from the Always Inventive Phillipe de Broca!
Summary: 4 Stars
ON GUARD delivers. Better than almost all other French swordplay films, this film version of the Paul Féval novel 'Le Bossu' has been aptly adapted for the screen by de Broca, Jean Cosmos, and Jérôme Tonnerre and under Phillipe de Broca's keen eye for detail and entertainment it effervesces on the screen.
The story is solid but predictable: a young swordsman Lagardère (a brilliant Daniel Auteuil) falls into the service of the Duke of Nevers (Vincent Perez in a dashing role) to recover the Duke's daughter Aurore (Marie Gillain). But the evil Gonzague (Fabrice Luchini) kills the Duke and the remainder of the non-stop romance involves the revenge and eventual love story of Lagardère and Aurore.
de Broca's style is lushly authentic for the period yet he manages to always infuse his story with light touches of comedy, luch lighting and spectacular photography, The cast is uniformly excellent. This is one of those 'escapist movies' that is bound to entertain and please even the most critical audience! In French with English subtitles, Recommended. Grady Harp, September 05
Movie Review: BLAZING SWORD OF REVENGE
Summary: 4 Stars
Perhaps the best picture from French New Wave pioneer Phillipe De Broca is ON GUARD (Koch Lorber). This colorful, exhilarating swashbuckler is based on Paul Feval's novel Le Bossu ("The Hunchback").
Superb swordsman Legardere (Daneil Autiel) is a bodyguard to his friend the Duke of Nevers. When the Duke is assassinated on his wedding day by his scheming cousin, Legardere vows revenge and hides the Duke's infant daughter. When the girl turns 16, Legardere helps her reclaim her inheritance, her place in society and her name.
Rich in period detail, nuanced plot, clever adult dialogue (French with English subtitles) and fantastic swordplay, this film is hugely satisfying and recommended.
Movie Review: On Guard
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a fan of french movies,
I think Daniel Auteil is a very good actor and seeing him is enjoyable.
The story is interesting.
I love fencing and french people are very good in that sport.
Thankyou, Alejandra
Movie Review: Overrated but entertaining
Summary: 3 Stars
I went into this expecting it to be one of the greatest swashbucklers of all time -- as some reviews had led me to believe. Well, it isn't. But that doesn't mean that it's not well worth a viewing.My biggest complaint is that I thought the film would have wall-to-wall swordplay. It doesn't. After the first 30 minutes or so, long stretches go by where there isn't much exciting action at all. When our hero disguises himself as a hunchback in order to infiltrate the villain's lair, the story begins to feel stale and predictable. And the finale is a huge disappointment, mainly because the lead villain isn't much of a fencer. Shouldn't the film's best swordfight have been saved for the end?
That said, the movie looks terrific and has a fine lead performance by Daniel Auteuil, who excels in both the comical and dramatic aspects of his role. His swordplay is also surprisingly convincing. While the action choreography is effective, it's not as spectacular as I had hoped. And, once again, I wish there had been more of it. Marie Gillain is quite fetching as the sprightly Aurore, although American viewers may feel uneasy about the romantic relationship that develops between her and her adoptive father.