Accounts of Committee meeting on March 30, '94 (when Danton's arrest was ordered)??

[wolfshadow713.livejournal.com]

I know that there aren't any official minutes of the March 30 joint meeting of the Committees (or any meeting, really), but there are at least partial accounts of what transpired. Does anyone know of a relatively complete account, either from some primary source document (ie. someone's memoirs) or something pieced together by historians)?

Comments

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

Hm, perhaps I should have italicized Danton, or put it in quotes, to make it more obvious...? (Since, after all, we're talking about the film and not the personage.)

I can see how someone knowing nothing about the Revolution--or even someone who did know something and could put it out of their mind--could appreciate "Danton"'s qualities as a film, but personally, the mutilation of history was far too distracting for me to be able to do that. >.> In general though, I think the impression people get from watching "Danton" is too often their first and last, or close to it, so it's doubtless more damaging for your average person who doesn't take a particularly strong interest in the Revolution to watch it.

I suppose I shouldn't be too hard on Darnton in particular, since there are very few American historians who don't use that patronizing kind of tone when speaking of their European, and in particular, French colleagues. Nevertheless, it's definitely lowered him in my estimation, which is always disappointing. (Doubtless it is; nerdy details on publishing are Darnton's speciality. I just wish he would have stuck to it.)

[misatheredpanda.livejournal.com]

Haha, no, I should just learn to read.

Interestingly though - when I try to tap into my initial reactions to the film, knowing nothing of the Revolution - what I remember distinctly, which seems to disagree with what people say about it, is that I felt very sympathetic toward Robespierre - as in the scene when he's lying there sweating at the end; I think I came away with the impression that his was the character you could really understand in the end. (And I don't think it was some sort of intrinsic personal bias since I've often since been more inclined toward the Dantonists!) Obviously I don't want to suggest that everyone who sees it will share my impression; but at least I know it's possible - so I've wondered if it's primarily people who know the situation who see Robespierre as being so vilified in the film. That is quite a general statement and the reaction of a then-15-year-old american is not necessarily the best testimonial; but it would be interesting to see what the 'average person' really gets out of Danton. For myself, I've no idea exactly how I feel about it, but that's fine with me.

Yes. :( Well, I suppose I haven't yet discovered a historian for whom this was not the case. (If anyone has, I'm not sure whether I'll be impressed or wary.)