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Poster for The Red Violin

The Red Violin

Seen it?

1998 | 130 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Music, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It won an Oscar, though it had a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and romantics.
The mood
Tense, warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 10 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

300 years of a remarkable musical instrument. Crafted by the Italian master Bussotti (Cecchi) in 1681, the red violin has traveled through Austria, England, China, and Canada, leaving both beauty and tragedy in its wake. In Montreal, Samuel L Jackson plays an appraiser going over its complex history.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Original Score. Also nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Plus 17 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $9 million worldwide on a $18 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 81K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by François Girard

  • Samuel L. JacksonCharles Morritz (Montréal)
  • Carlo CecchiNicolo Bussotti (Cremona)
  • Irene GrazioliAnna Bussotti (Cremona)
  • Anita LaurenziCesca (Cremona)
  • Tommaso PuntelliApprentice (Cremona)
  • Aldo BrugniniAssistant (Cremona)
  • Samuele AmighettiBoy (Cremona)
  • Jean-Luc BideauGeorges Poussin (Vienna)
  • Christoph KonczKaspar Weiss (Vienna)
  • Clotilde MolletAntoinette Pussin (Vienna)