39. One Nation, One King (Un peuple et son roi); movie review

ONE NATION, ONE KING (UN PEUPLE ET SON ROI)
Cert 15
122 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody injury detail

History dictates that there is a point at which the population will rise up against the establishment and overthrow it.
More than 200 years after the French Revolution, the countries people still cherish the right to dissent.
They probably believe they owe it to descendants who lost their lives in the pursuit of liberty.
Pierre Schoeller's ambitious One Nation, One King studies the tumult in France from the storming of the Bastille in 1789 to the execution by guillotine of King Louis four years later.
It looks at events from the point of view of the poor who mobilised against the privileged, including the king's court and the nobility who dominated the Estates General.
Schoeller has gathered some of the finest acting talents in France with Gaspard Ulliel, Adèle Haenel, Olivier Gourmet, Louis Garrel, Niels Schneider and Denis Lavant at the forefront of the debates and riots which were to to bring a new beginning.
As the revolution winds a treacherous path, tales of love and despair unfold alongside scenes in the newly formed assembly which ultimately decides on the fate of the king (Laurent Lafitte).
It translates to the big screen the combination of violent chaos and surges of joy associated with a massive societal upheaval.
Sure, it is partly exhilarating and sees dreams fulfilled but it is right to temper these emotions with violent reality.
Is the cost worth it? In the short-term, it appears so but I made the point to Mrs W that many of those who led the rebellion lost their heads soon after Louis.
The publicity material for One Nation, One King states that 'freedom has a story'. Schoeller's film goes a long way to reflecting that.
It shows the huge gulf between the haves and have nots which eventually leads to violent dissent.
There are many in governments around the world who should take note from history.

Reasons to watch: Gusty retelling of the key moments of the French revolution
Reasons to avoid: If you aren;t up with history you may wonder what is going on

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? During the Reign of Terror (1793–1794), about 40,000 people were executed or murdered. A guillotine was set up in the Place de la Révolution in Paris.


The final word - Paul Schoeller: "I didn’t want the revolution to be depicted only by the king, or Robespierre and Marat – all of these big, important figures we already know so well. I wanted to focus on the people. When they are gathered in the National Assembly, it’s almost as if the whole country is having a meeting."

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