Henry of Navarre (Henri 4) reviews
Review by on 23 Sep 2010
HENRY OF NAVARRE pulls no punches. A sex and violence fuelled spree through sixteenth century France, it essentially gives Navarre’s reign the same treatment the BBC gave to Henry VIII with THE TUDORS. Charting his life from his beginnings as the ‘little prince’ of Navarre to the end of his reign as King of France, it is Henry’s conquests on the battlefield and in the bedroom that drive the narrative of this epic, based on Heinrich Mann’s popular novels.
Julien Boisselier charms as Henry, whilst occasionally illustrating a deeper intensity, but it is the supporting cast that are given the more interesting roles. Ulrich Noethen is entertaining as King Charles IX, a man driven mad by fear, whilst Armelle Deutsch gives a smouldering performance as Charles’ sister, Margot, a gothic sex-kitten clouded in eyeliner.
At times the cinematography is breathtaking, supported by a rousingly convincing soundtrack. The battles are well executed, some original techniques employed to thrust the viewer into the heart of the action, and despite a long running time of two and a half hours, just about enough happens in that time to avoid a sense of drag.
By focussing on so many different aspects to Henry’s life, however, there is a cost in terms of profundity. Cerebral it is not, and you cannot help but feel that there is a more interesting film still waiting to be made about Henry. Nevertheless, as a slice of rambunctious historical fun, high on spectacle and intrigue, HENRY OF NAVARRE delivers.
Oliver Ford
Julien Boisselier charms as Henry, whilst occasionally illustrating a deeper intensity, but it is the supporting cast that are given the more interesting roles. Ulrich Noethen is entertaining as King Charles IX, a man driven mad by fear, whilst Armelle Deutsch gives a smouldering performance as Charles’ sister, Margot, a gothic sex-kitten clouded in eyeliner.
At times the cinematography is breathtaking, supported by a rousingly convincing soundtrack. The battles are well executed, some original techniques employed to thrust the viewer into the heart of the action, and despite a long running time of two and a half hours, just about enough happens in that time to avoid a sense of drag.
By focussing on so many different aspects to Henry’s life, however, there is a cost in terms of profundity. Cerebral it is not, and you cannot help but feel that there is a more interesting film still waiting to be made about Henry. Nevertheless, as a slice of rambunctious historical fun, high on spectacle and intrigue, HENRY OF NAVARRE delivers.
Oliver Ford
Film details
Henry of Navarre (Henri 4)
GERMAN FILMS
Director: Jo Baier
Actor: Julien Boisselier
Actor: Joachim Król
Actor: Roger Casamajor
Actor: Andreas Schmidt
Actor: Armelle Deutsch
Actor: Julien Boisselier
Actor: Joachim Król
Actor: Roger Casamajor
Actor: Andreas Schmidt
Actor: Armelle Deutsch
Germany, France, Spain, 2010.
153 mins. with English subtitles.
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