| The Horseman on the Roof | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jean-Paul Rappeneau |
| Produced by | Bernard Bouix |
| Screenplay by | Jean-Claude Carrière Nina Companéez Jean-Paul Rappeneau |
| Based on | The Horseman on the Roof by Jean Giono |
| Starring | Juliette Binoche Olivier Martinez |
| Music by | Jean-Claude Petit |
| Cinematography | Thierry Arbogast |
| Editing by | Noëlle Boisson |
| Distributed by | Pathé (as AMFD) (France) Miramax Films (USA) Artificial Eye (UK) |
| Release date(s) | 20 September 1995 |
| Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French Italian |
| Budget | $35,000,000[1] |
| Box office | $23,187,984[2] |
The Horseman on the Roof (French title: Le hussard sur le toit) is a 1995 French film directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, and starring Juliette Binoche and Olivier Martinez. Based on the 1951 French novel Le hussard sur le toit by Jean Giono, the film explores two significant historical events: the 1832 cholera outbreak in southern France, and the efforts by Italians to gain independence from Austrian control.[3]
Contents |
Colonel Angelo Pardi (Olivier Martinez) is a young Italian nobleman with a purchased rank in the cavalry (hence the "horseman" in the title) who is in France attempting to raise money for the Italian revolution against Austria. Pardi goes through a number of close encounters as he avoids and escapes from Austrian spies. While avoiding his pursuers, Pardi meets Pauline de Théus (Juliette Binoche), wife of the Marquis de Théus, in her house in a city she is visiting. She has delayed her stay, awaiting her husband's return and provides Colonel Pardi shelter for the night. Evacuation of the city separates them, but a later meeting sees them banding together to accomplish their own objectives—he wants to return to Italy with his funds for the revolution, and she wants to find her husband.[4]
The movie won the César Awards for Best Cinematography (Thierry Arbogast) and Best Sound (Pierre Gamet, Jean Goudier, Dominique Hennequin), and was nominated for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Music Written for a Film (Jean-Claude Petit), Best Editing (Noëlle Boisson), Best Costume Design (Franca Squarciapino), Best Production Design (Jacques Rouxel, Ezio Frigerio, Christian Marti) and Most Promising Actress (Isabelle Carré).