Movielogr
La Symphonie fantastique (1942)
Directed by Christian-Jaque
Overview
The film is biographical, telling the story of the life and artistic struggles of the French composer Hector Berlioz. Berlioz is shown as a recalcitrant medical student in an anatomy class dreaming of becoming a composer; at a demonstration during a performance at the Paris Opéra conducted by Habeneck; at supper with other young artists (Hugo, Janin, Dumas, Mérimée, Delacroix); and chasing after his future wife Harriet Smithson, after a performance of Hamlet. Also depicted are his life in a garret, while suffering from an illness due to an abscess in the throat; a visit from his mother who curses him; and the composition of the Symphonie fantastique. The film then shows his marital breakdown, the premiere of his opera Benvenuto Cellini, his travels throughout Europe, his second marriage to Marie Recio (called “Marie Martin” in the film), public acceptance in old age and reconciliation with his son.
Length 95 minutes
Actors
Julien Bertheau | Maurice Schutz | Noël Roquevert | Jacques Dynam | Bernard Blier | Louis Seigner | Jean-Louis Barrault | Louis Salou | Mona Dol | Michel Vitold | Lise Delamare | Lucien Coëdel | Renée Saint-Cyr | Gilbert Gil | Jules Berry | Roland Armontel | Pierre Magnier | Catherine Fonteney | Georges Vitray | Martial Rèbe | Rivers Cadet | Marcelle Monthil | Georges Mauloy | Georges Gosset | Eugène Yvernès | Jean Darcante | Roger Vincent | Joé Davray | Maurice Dorléac | René Fluet | Georges Lafon | Fabienne Clery | Jacques Cossin