VatelDirected by Roland Joffé
Produced by Gaumont, Légende
Genres : Fiction - Runtime : 1 h 44 min
French release : 10/05/2000
Production year : 2000
DirectorActorsSynopsisChâteau du Prince de Condé, late April 1671
François Vatel is the faithful and devoted attendant to the proud yet ageing and financially ruined Prince de Condé. The Prince needs to gain favour with King Louis XIV and hopefully receive command of a new militry campaign against the Duth.Condé will submit to no-one but his king, yet for this occasion, he places himself and the welfare of his château in the hands of Vatel, assigning him the difficult task of receiving the Court of Versailles in its entirety at the Château de Chantilly. The festivities shall last three days and three nights and must be dazzling to say the very least. To ensure success in his duties, Vatel heads an army of servants, men and women, young and old, working incessantly to surprise, amaze and satisfy the king. Vatel sedigns the festivities by theme, with extremely elaborate menus and grand thatrics of which the king is most fond. In the midst of this bustle, Vatel is seduced by Anne de Montausier who is close to the queen and coveted by Lauzun and the king himslef. Anne gives herself to Vatel who cuts the figure of a grand master of ceremonies despite his plebeian origins ; he is above all man of great heart and conviction. The festivities are drawing to close. Judging by the atmosphere of good humour, success seems close. But on the evening of the third day, the fish for dinner does not arrive… AboutWhat I like about this film is that Vatel doesn’t go seeking compliments. He just does his job. The rest doesn’t concern him, he’s not interested in what happens upstairs. Just like Renoir’s “Rules of the Game,” there’s an upstairs and a downstairs – aristocrats above, servants below. What I like about the movies is the way various episodes can take off in so many directions. The magic created by an actor in a scene can occur despite him, without him knowing. In fact, it’s better if he doesn’t know. Actors’ greatest moments come when they’re not aware of it, when they’re deep in their work, just doing their job. Gérard Depardieu, actor Production photos (6)
Posters gallery (3)Production and distributionAssociate production company : Gaumont, Légende
Co-production : TF1 Films Production
Foreign production company : Burrill Productions Ltd
Film export/Foreign Sales : Gaumont
French distribution : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International (ex-Buena Vista International France)
Full creditsExecutive Producer : Ilan Goldman
Assistant Director : Pascal Guérin
Adaptation/Dialogue Writer : Tom Stoppard
Screenwriters : Tom Stoppard, Jeanne Labrune
Director of Photography : Eric Moreau
Sound Recordist : Pavel Wdowczak
Production Manager : Patrick Bordier
Press Attaché (film) : Isabelle Sauvanon
Editor : Noëlle Boisson
Continuity supervisor : Sylvette Baudrot
Production Designer : Jean Rabasse
Art Director : Sabrine Chartier
Music Composers : Ennio Morricone, Jean-Michel Bernard
Choreographer : Corinne Devaux
Costume Designer : Yvonne Sassinot de Nesle
Visual Effects : Bruno Maillard
Still Photographer : Étienne George
Technical detailsFeature film
Genres : Fiction
Production language : English
Nationality : Majority French (France, Great Britain)
Production year : 2000
French release : 10/05/2000
Runtime : 1 h 44 min
Current status : Released
Visa number : 79.752
Visa issue date : 04/05/2000
Approval : Yes
Production formats :
35mm
Screening format :
35mm
Color type : Color
Aspect ratio : CinemaScope
Festival Selections (6) | 
Iphone App
