MOLIERE

France, 1977, 240 minutes, Colour.
Philippe Caubere.
Directed by Ariane Mnouchkine.

Moliere is a portrait of the great French comic dramatist of the 17th. century. Born in 1622, died 1673. This film was produced by noted French writer-director Claude Lelouch (Oscar winner for A Man And A Woman). It was produced for French television. It occupies almost four hours running time and is perhaps better suited for television presentation. However, the vivid re-creation of 17th century Paris and France, the lavish decor and costumes, the presentation of French theatre, life in the provinces and at court, is presented vividly on the large screen. The film moves rather slowly at tines and is also, at times, reverent towards its subject. This is particularly the case in the vivid opening segments of the film about Moliere's childhood. As he grows in stature and success, his weaknesses and foibles emerge. He becomes witty and incisive as a playwright but also becomes involved in the glamour of the court of Louis XIV.

Because of its length, the film requires great concentration. It also means that the film tends to be a portrait rather than a study of the playwright. In its purpose of informing a 20th. century audience about a celebrated Frenchman, the film is successful.

1. The film as a portrait of Moliere from childhood to death? The film as a portrait rather than a study? The sketch of a man in himself, in his times? As an actor, as a playwright? As a man of his times, a man of vision with
an insight into the characteristics of human nature?

2. The production and its presentation in cinemas, for television? Its expectations of its audience in terms of attention, concentration, background knowledge? The aim of the film at communicating to a very broad audience? Lavish production for television, budget, sets, decor, costumes? The recreating of the atmosphere of the 17th. century? The range of French life in that time: Paris slum. Paris merchants. the theatre, students and studies, revolutions, the provinces and dram throughout France, the French court of Louis XIV? The film's attention to detail, colour photography, the portrayal of beauty and ugliness, poverty and wealth? The influence of French art of the time, paintings and tableaux?

3. The length of the film, its pace? Its division into segments? The cumulative effect of the portrait and the drama? The immersing of the audience in the atmosphere to understand and feel with Moliere? The use of 17th. century music, the musical style contributing to the atmosphere of the times, of theatre?

4. The framework of the play with Moliere's death? The indication of dates? The long view of him in his final illness? The presupposition of audience interest? The build-up in the chronological presentation of his life? Resuming at the end with his death?

5. The dramatic impact of the first segment: Moiler at ten? The recreation of his world and its atmosphere, influences? The boys and their play-acting? His relationship with his friends, the exercise of imagination, the earthiness? The transition to the lesson and the indication of the world view of the time about God. science? Conservative attitudes? The transition to the slums, the mud? The long sequence of the collisions of coaches and the stances of the drivers? Moliere, and his being chased home? The sequences at home, his loving mother and the expressions of tenderness, the softness of his father? The build-up to the celebration of Twelfth Night? The household, the maid? The ritual of the crowns? The rituals of the pieces of cake? The feast? Moliere and the maid being crowned? A sufficient indication of the lifestyle of the time and its influence on Moliere?

6. The presentation of ideas of the 17th. century: the priest and his lesson on the Earth and its movement. the theories about man and the bloodstream, about God? The dogmatic presentation of these ideas? The influence on the boys at the time?

7. The reality of death after long illness? The portrayal of his mother's illness, the doctors and the bleeding? The return from school, the eating sequence and the grief at Moliere's mother's death? Their going to the carnival, the dramatic impact of the street play about death and Scaramouche acting? The 17th century carnival, the man soaring with wings over the group? Theatre and delight and its effect on Moliere?

8. The transition to Moliere as a young man (and the physical resemblance of the actors portraying Moliere)? The rules of the household, the rules of the Upholsterer's Guild? The tense meal with the discussions about study and acting? The stages of Moliere's growing up? His moving to Orleans to study? The effect of the carnival and its being banned by the authorities? The riots? The play? The fire cart? The opening up of the theatrical world to Moliere? His encounter with the Bejart family? The contract and his joining them? The building of their own theatre - a future for Moliere as actor?

9. The significance of the long sequence about the order of the Sacrament? The atmosphere of Jansenist spirituality of the time? Asceticism and flight from the world? The long discussions of the members of the order and the issues raised? The authoritarian approach? The banning of the carnival and the reaction of the students? The tax? The atmosphere ideas of the 17th. century? The interlude with the philosopher Descartes, his visit to Paris, the young audience eager to hear him?

10. The transition from the rule of Louis XIII to Louis XIV? The film's portrayal of history, the role of Cardinal Richelieu and his regency? His later presence and influence on Louis XIV?

11. The presentation of the first play? the artificial tragic styles? The desire to play comedy? The reaction of the audience standing around, leaving? Moliere's father and his reaction to the play? The prison sequence, the father redeeming his son and the reconciliation?

12. The emphasis on Moliere's fifteen years of touring the countryside? The way of life, the bonds between the members of the group? The difficulties: the physical terrain, the sombre landscapes., illness, famine? Criminals? the woman sexually abused? The starving people and the devouring of the horses? The comment on France in the middle of the 17th. century?

13. The contrast with the growing success of the theatre? The range of audiences in the provinces and Moliere's learning to adapt to the response of ordinary people? The elaborate sequence of the play with the stage blowing across the fields? The visual impact of this sequence? It's thematic significance? The rescue of the actors? The fights between the members of the group, jealousies? Relationships? Madeleine and her relationship with Moliere over the years? Therese and her marriage? The dead child and the burial?

14. How well did the screenplay highlight the nature of French theatre of the time, the discussions of the plays.. the essence of tragedy according to Moliere, acting style, writing style? The combining of popular comic traditions with tragedy? The move to satire? The highlighting of society, allegories of human foibles and hypocrisy?

15. The continued thread throughout the film of the French court, Louis XIV and his assuming power? His wealth. the solemnity of the court? The influence of the church? His foppish brother and the discovery of Moliere's troupe? His wanting to advance his place in the court by presenting Moliere? The build-up to the first presentation., Moliere's taking himself seriously, nervousness and opening night illness? The tragedy and the audience being bored? The rival group and their mockery? The transition to farce and the successful evening? for the prince, for the king and his smiling? The opening up of Louis XIV's patronage?

16. The contrast with the provincial support of Conti? His growing fanaticism - even to his clothes and shaving his head? The antagonism towards the theatre? His trying to influence the French court? The urging of the condemnation of Moliere?

17. The growing success at court? Moliere's adapting to the ways of court, wealth? The important sequence of the lavish dinner, the discussions about contracts? The reconciliation with Therese? Madeleine and her jealousy of her daughter and Moliere's infatuation? How well were these tensions presented within the context of the mods of the meal?

18. Moliere and his observation of society? incorporating thews into his play? the long sequence of the wedding of the old man with the young unwilling girl? The transition to the plays such as School for Wives? Tartuffe and the political difficulties? The interviews with Colbert and the pressures being put on him? The request for cuts and Moliere's reaction? The King's reaction, favour?

19. The sequences of the King's Festival, the place of Lully and his music? Moliere as the court entrepeneur? . The lavish tone of the festival ?fireworks, music etc.? Lully's bowing to the King's wishes? The sequence of the gifts from Venice coming through the snow? Their final arrival? The indications of lavish splendour and extravagance at Louis XIVs court?

20. How well did the film present Moliere as a person? The characters in his life? how clearly presented as individuals, personal traits, crises? Moliere and his talent, relationships, his success, vanity? His changing with age?

21. The film and its mirroring of the times? Understanding an important French character in his environment? The importance of his heritage for French culture?