(no subject)

[tearosefury.livejournal.com]

In a convo with a friend of mine on AIM last night, after being asked if the film Danton was ambiguous in not clearly taking sides, I said this:

EccentricBeauty9: Well, it's about the Terror

EccentricBeauty9: So, *lol* by consequence yes, to a certain degree

EccentricBeauty9: Danton is lionized to a certain extent

EccentricBeauty9: But Robespierre is also treated more sympathically than you could, theoretically, treat him

EccentricBeauty9: But everyone has a soft spot for Robespierre (by everyone I mean, those who study the Revolution; most of us at least) so, that makes sense

 Would you agree that this is for the most part true, that most of us to some degree are a bit of a sucker for Robespierre? Or are there some hard core anti-Robespierrists out there?

Comments

[jesta-ariadne.livejournal.com]

Ooh, interesting. Hmm... I wouldn't be surprised if most people here do :) I think overall and historically Robespierre has more a habit of just totally polarizing a lot of people to one extreme point of view or another... Very strong opinions on both sides. And those that try to be objective - or just 'non-extreme', for whatever reason - tend get really, really confused =) (See The Life and Opinions of Maximilien Robespierre by Norman Hampson. V. good!)

(I haven't seen the film Danton... :( What did you think of it?? I only know that it was based in some way on Stanisława Przybyszewska's 'The Danton Case', which I have read. But am I right in thinking that while she was a HUGE fan of Robespierre, the film changed quite a bit of those elements?)

[tearosefury.livejournal.com]

I have not read the Danton Case so, I've no idea how changed it is. Danton however in my opinion is a wonderful film, which manages, by focusing on one, tiny story of the Terror, to encompass so many of the themes of the Terror and Revolution and the questions they rose. It may not be 100% historically accurate but, as far as a study in personality, politics and philosophy in the 18th century Atlantic world, as well as a look at the questions of right/wrong, ends-justifies-the-means, I can't really think of a movie which matches it.

Plus it is a great period peice because the writing is great, the acting is great, the costumes and sets are great, and the actors do not behave as if they are on a stage or acting or some sterotype or caricature of what 18th century people were supposed to sound and feel like. It feels real.