Delightful late silent version of the often-filmed picaresque story about the young nobleman who decides to travel to Paris with an acting company. Early Cavalcanti outing shows the influence of the French surrealists, particularly Epstein's FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER in the early scenes, and his fluid camera and sympathetic wit keep this version rolling along. That's Charles Boyer as the suave villain.
6 Reviews
European Comedy Theatre Of The XVII Century
FerdinandVonGalitzien20 February 2010
Herr Sigognac ( Herr Pierre Blanchar ) is a young French nobleman without means ( well, this it is not a tragic fact for this German count who has known such want during his youthful days, his mature days and even his twilight days
); he lives a poor and miserable existence in his Schloss until one night unexpectedly a troupe of strolling players asks for shelter. Herr Sigognac will offer his aristocratic roof to the troupe and will be especially attracted to Isabelle ( Frau Lien Deyers ), a beautiful actress, so the next morning, after a short hesitation, he decides to join the actors and travel to Paris with them, becoming, after a violent incident involving two gypsies, the Captain Fracasse.
"Le Capitaine Fracasse" (1929) is a classic adventure epic directed by Herr Alberto Cavalcanti, a director who will do his most important work in France, the land in which he was educated, although he will direct in a number of other countries during the years. The film was based on a famous novel by the French writer Herr Théophile Gautier that obviously this Herr Von hasn't read it because it was written in French. The story is full of funny, sarcastic and cynical characters inspired by the European comedy theatre of the XVII century.
A very interesting part of the film is its novel subject, the recreation of the lives and work of those strolling players who, for a few coins, performed their comedies in any available place: small towns, populous barns, crowded taverns with audiences of commoners and noblemen alike. The film includes action and adventure involving a wicked enmity between the captain Fracasse and the Duke of Vallombreuse ( Herr Charles Boyer ) who will fight during the whole movie for the love of Frau Isabelle.
The direction is perfect, including elegant camera movements and elaborate adventure sequences with beautiful outdoor scenery. It is a well-done swashbuckler film, archetypical in many moments and indeed very professional but it is a bit too much like other adventure films of those silent days and in some ways does not stand out from them.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must direct a troupe of Teutonic rich heiresses.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com
"Le Capitaine Fracasse" (1929) is a classic adventure epic directed by Herr Alberto Cavalcanti, a director who will do his most important work in France, the land in which he was educated, although he will direct in a number of other countries during the years. The film was based on a famous novel by the French writer Herr Théophile Gautier that obviously this Herr Von hasn't read it because it was written in French. The story is full of funny, sarcastic and cynical characters inspired by the European comedy theatre of the XVII century.
A very interesting part of the film is its novel subject, the recreation of the lives and work of those strolling players who, for a few coins, performed their comedies in any available place: small towns, populous barns, crowded taverns with audiences of commoners and noblemen alike. The film includes action and adventure involving a wicked enmity between the captain Fracasse and the Duke of Vallombreuse ( Herr Charles Boyer ) who will fight during the whole movie for the love of Frau Isabelle.
The direction is perfect, including elegant camera movements and elaborate adventure sequences with beautiful outdoor scenery. It is a well-done swashbuckler film, archetypical in many moments and indeed very professional but it is a bit too much like other adventure films of those silent days and in some ways does not stand out from them.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must direct a troupe of Teutonic rich heiresses.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com
A lovely old-style French adventure tale....
planktonrules13 August 2010
This is French silent film is one that a viewer could easily believe was written by Alexander Dumas--the author of "The Three Musketeers". Like this tale, "Captain Fracasse" is set during the reign of Louis XIII in the 17th century and is full of swashbuckling sorts of adventure and good triumphing over evil. As a fan of Dumas and Rafael Sabatini (the wonderful author of "Captain Blood" and "Sea Hawk"), this sort of film is exactly what I like--pure escapist fun in a historical setting.
The film begins at the crappy estate of Captain Fracasse. He's a very poor but kind nobleman whose family has fallen on hard times. He meets up with a traveling theater troupe and eventually joins them and travels with them to Paris. On the way, he falls in love with a sweet young lady. Unfortunately, also on the way to Paris, a despicable young Duke (Charles Boyer) sees the lady and falls head over heels in lust. Being a genuine jerk, he decides to kidnap the lady and despoil her--after all, she's poor and he can do what he wants because he's rich! However, the Duke does not count on Fracasse' expertise with the sword or the tenacity and resourcefulness of the actors in the company. Overall, it's a well-paced, well-acted and fun film from start to finish...and it's quite a romance as well. Well worth your time.
By the way, although a sound film and made many decades later, if you like this film, try watching "Le Bossu"--another charming and generally forgotten little adventure set during this same time period. Or, for another nice silent (and later sound film) from a slightly later time period but also involving a traveling French acting troupe, try either the 1923 or 1952 versions of "Scaramouche" (also by Sabatini).
The film begins at the crappy estate of Captain Fracasse. He's a very poor but kind nobleman whose family has fallen on hard times. He meets up with a traveling theater troupe and eventually joins them and travels with them to Paris. On the way, he falls in love with a sweet young lady. Unfortunately, also on the way to Paris, a despicable young Duke (Charles Boyer) sees the lady and falls head over heels in lust. Being a genuine jerk, he decides to kidnap the lady and despoil her--after all, she's poor and he can do what he wants because he's rich! However, the Duke does not count on Fracasse' expertise with the sword or the tenacity and resourcefulness of the actors in the company. Overall, it's a well-paced, well-acted and fun film from start to finish...and it's quite a romance as well. Well worth your time.
By the way, although a sound film and made many decades later, if you like this film, try watching "Le Bossu"--another charming and generally forgotten little adventure set during this same time period. Or, for another nice silent (and later sound film) from a slightly later time period but also involving a traveling French acting troupe, try either the 1923 or 1952 versions of "Scaramouche" (also by Sabatini).
Version number 3.
brogmiller4 March 2021
As a poet Theophile Gautier is well-nigh forgotten today which is a great pity but he lives through his two novels 'Mademoiselle Maupin' and 'Le Capitaine Fracasse'. The former has only been filmed once to my knowledge but the latter has proved extremely popular and has thus far notched up no less than nine versions.
This time round it is Cavalcanti at the helm and what a marvellous job he has done. His direction is exceptionally 'modern' for 1929 with splendid close-ups, strong characterisation, excellent pacing and plenty of momentum. Although flamboyant in nature it is striking in its simplicity. The camerawork of Paul Portier and art direction by Erik Aaes are superb. As a bonus we have luckily been spared one of those ghastly and totally unsuitable 'specially composed' scores that blight so many restorations and instead we have piano arrangements of classic pieces, most effective of which is from Cesar Franck's Symphony in D.
Pierre Blanchar brings his customary elegance and air of melancholy to the role of the impoverished Baron de Sigognac, who joins a troupe of travelling Commedia dell Arte players and falls in love with the ingenue, played by Lien Deyers. Apparently Monsieur Blanchar's eyes were damaged by gas whilst serving in the First World War. This would explain his 'faraway' look which proved to be so effective. The lovely Miss Deyers had recently impressed as Kitty in Fritz Lang's 'Spies'. As her husband was Jewish she was obliged to leave Germany and she subsequently sank alas, without trace. Her character in this has to fight off the attentions of the dastardly Duc de Vallombreuse played by a youthful Charles Boyer, who has star quality in spades. Fascinating Roumanian actress Pola Illery plays Chiquita, a gypsy who is handy with a knife! As with Lien Deyers the coming of Nazism effectively finished her career.
In short this is a little gem and gloriously entertaining. What would appear on the surface however to be just a romantic, picaresque tale is not without its darker undertones and the grimness of the penultimate scene really packs a punch.
As Gautier himself once said: "What I write is not for little girls."
This time round it is Cavalcanti at the helm and what a marvellous job he has done. His direction is exceptionally 'modern' for 1929 with splendid close-ups, strong characterisation, excellent pacing and plenty of momentum. Although flamboyant in nature it is striking in its simplicity. The camerawork of Paul Portier and art direction by Erik Aaes are superb. As a bonus we have luckily been spared one of those ghastly and totally unsuitable 'specially composed' scores that blight so many restorations and instead we have piano arrangements of classic pieces, most effective of which is from Cesar Franck's Symphony in D.
Pierre Blanchar brings his customary elegance and air of melancholy to the role of the impoverished Baron de Sigognac, who joins a troupe of travelling Commedia dell Arte players and falls in love with the ingenue, played by Lien Deyers. Apparently Monsieur Blanchar's eyes were damaged by gas whilst serving in the First World War. This would explain his 'faraway' look which proved to be so effective. The lovely Miss Deyers had recently impressed as Kitty in Fritz Lang's 'Spies'. As her husband was Jewish she was obliged to leave Germany and she subsequently sank alas, without trace. Her character in this has to fight off the attentions of the dastardly Duc de Vallombreuse played by a youthful Charles Boyer, who has star quality in spades. Fascinating Roumanian actress Pola Illery plays Chiquita, a gypsy who is handy with a knife! As with Lien Deyers the coming of Nazism effectively finished her career.
In short this is a little gem and gloriously entertaining. What would appear on the surface however to be just a romantic, picaresque tale is not without its darker undertones and the grimness of the penultimate scene really packs a punch.
As Gautier himself once said: "What I write is not for little girls."
To the Last Man!
silentmoviefan26 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
What first got me interested in this film was the fact Charles Boyer was in it. I didn't now "ol' Charley Boy" did silent movies. He has quite the part in it, too. He plays a nasty villain that just doesn't die, sort of like Jason. Also, I have a "thing" for foreign movies. I've seen some good ones and some stinkeroos, but I always find them interesting. This one is good. It starts out with a nobleman who has a servant and a castle but little else. A troupe of actors come by seeking shelter, being the nice guy he is, Captain Fracasse (as he'll come to be known, but not as of yet) lets them have that shelter. An actress named Isabelle catches his eye. After spending the night, the head of the troupe invites the future Captain Fracasse to come along as they're heading to Paris. He turns them down, but, thinking of Isabelle, decides to come along. Not too long after his, a gypsy named Chiquita is introduced. She admired a necklace Isabelle was wearing. Chiquita talks a criminal named Agostino into killing Isabelle. Agostino and his minions decide to rob the troupe, but the future Captain Fracasse puts up enough of a resistance to hold back this challenge. However, one of the troupe dies in the attack and the future Captain Fracasse becomes the present Captain Fracasse. As it turns out, Isabelle catches more than just the good captain's eye. Boyer's character, who we meet about 25 minutes into the film, liked the way she looks, too. Much of the rest of the film is Boyer's wanting to capture Isabelle, capturing her and then trying to keep her imprisoned. There's plenty of action and the good Captain gets to keep Isabelle after all. That comes with the help of Chiquita and an outlaw who is assigned to kill Fracasse and then becomes an ally of his after Fracasse has an excellent chance to kill him, but doesn't. Remember Agostino, you see him at the end of the film about to be executed. Chiquita offers some resistance to this. I'll let you see what comes of this. It's worth your time to watch. It's around 90 minutes long.
A spirited swashbuckler adventure
lyrast14 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Captain Fracasse"(!929) is a spirited adventure film which provides good entertainment. For the modern viewer, probably the most interesting feature is the performance of Charles Boyer {Duke de Vallombreuse} as the villainous but sophisticated aristocrat who lusts after Isabelle {Lien Deyers} the beautiful young actress of a traveling acting troupe. She, of course, is in love with another handsome young aristocrat played by Pierre Blancher {Baron de Solignac/Captain Fracasse}. The plot moves along with commendable speed and excitement capturing the viewer's interest, always necessary in a swashbuckler where credibility of incident is not a strong feature! I enjoyed the photography which struck me as very clever and original. The film opens with an excellent tracking shot and we quickly get an effective sense of the oppressive, stagnant atmosphere of the young man's world. There are several other excellent scenes, particularly those which convey the excitement of the world of the strolling players. The castle of the villain with its winding staircases, locked rooms and improbable entrances and exits is another star of the film.
One doesn't normally look for sensitive acting in an action film based on a story which uses all the usual conventions of its type. Such a genre simply doesn't easily lend itself to deep characterisation. This probably explains the weak performance of Lien Deyers. She simply can't do much more than she does with the character given her. She can look lovingly at the hero, give the poor Gypsy girl her necklace {thereby winning her undying gratitude and help at decisive moments} and resolutely defy the villain who attempts to stain her honour. Particularly annoying is the way Isabelle clearly seeing some villains who plan to abduct her, hides under the covers! She faints opportunely.
Much better altogether is Pola Illéry who plays the Gypsy girl, Chiquita, with plenty of verve and energy. Her personality is more ambiguous. She first dislikes the heroine and participates in a plan to rob the troupe. after Isabelle shows kindness and generosity, she tells her that she has resolved never to kill her! In fact, she becomes quite important later on in the plot and has a great final scene.
The male leads, particularly Boyer, are excellent and do everything asked of them with panache.
So far, I've watched "Captain Fracasse" with the piano score. However, there is a more elaborate Michel Portal Avant Garde score which seems interesting though I've heard only a bit of it. Perhaps it may not suit the nature of this film as well as the more traditional piano background. I'll wait until I hear it in its entirety. The public domain edition of "Faust" has that type of modernistic electronic score and it is marvellously evocative, the most haunting I've heard, but then "Faust" lends itself to the surrealistic nature of that type of music.
I really found this an entertaining film and look forward to watching it again. Personally, I thought that a certain vivid realism mixed with humour in some of the scenes sets it apart from other examples of the genre.
One doesn't normally look for sensitive acting in an action film based on a story which uses all the usual conventions of its type. Such a genre simply doesn't easily lend itself to deep characterisation. This probably explains the weak performance of Lien Deyers. She simply can't do much more than she does with the character given her. She can look lovingly at the hero, give the poor Gypsy girl her necklace {thereby winning her undying gratitude and help at decisive moments} and resolutely defy the villain who attempts to stain her honour. Particularly annoying is the way Isabelle clearly seeing some villains who plan to abduct her, hides under the covers! She faints opportunely.
Much better altogether is Pola Illéry who plays the Gypsy girl, Chiquita, with plenty of verve and energy. Her personality is more ambiguous. She first dislikes the heroine and participates in a plan to rob the troupe. after Isabelle shows kindness and generosity, she tells her that she has resolved never to kill her! In fact, she becomes quite important later on in the plot and has a great final scene.
The male leads, particularly Boyer, are excellent and do everything asked of them with panache.
So far, I've watched "Captain Fracasse" with the piano score. However, there is a more elaborate Michel Portal Avant Garde score which seems interesting though I've heard only a bit of it. Perhaps it may not suit the nature of this film as well as the more traditional piano background. I'll wait until I hear it in its entirety. The public domain edition of "Faust" has that type of modernistic electronic score and it is marvellously evocative, the most haunting I've heard, but then "Faust" lends itself to the surrealistic nature of that type of music.
I really found this an entertaining film and look forward to watching it again. Personally, I thought that a certain vivid realism mixed with humour in some of the scenes sets it apart from other examples of the genre.
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