Made in 1982 by the Polish director, Andrzej Wadja, Danton is based on a Polish play of 1931 called the “Danton Affair.” Begun in Poland during a high point of the Solidarity liberation movement, it was eventually filmed in France after the movement was outlawed and martial law was instituted in 1981 under General Jarulszelski—a coup directed by the Soviet Union. After the coup, Wadja and his crew moved to France as émigrés. There they completed the film with a cast of Polish and French actors.
Danton was played by the French Gérard Depardieu and Robespierre, by the Pole Wojciech Pszoniak. The film reflects Wadja’s opposition to the return of a Stalinist regime in his homeland.
Our objectives are to compare Andrzej Wadja’s portrayal of the Danton Affair with history while also assessing the film itself as an historical artifact. As a means to this end, your assignment is to:
1. Read this Wikipedia entry on Danton. This should offer a decent foundation.
2. Read Robespierre’s Justification for the Use of Terror and The National Convention’s decision that “Terror is the order of the day”
3. Read these film reviews from Mary Ashburn Miller of Reed College and Vincent Canby of the New York Times.
Then write 1000-1500 word film review which considers the objectives above and which clearly demonstrates that you have read and thought about the given readings. To do so, consider these questions:
- Some critiques claim that historical films reveal more about the period in which they were made than about the period they portray. To what extent and in what specific ways do you think this is true of Danton?
- However flawed it may be, what does Danton contribute to your understanding of the French Revolution?
- What does Danton illustrate about the possibility of film as form of good history?
Be prepared to discuss your film reviews in class.
