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Poster for Danton

Danton

Seen it?

1983 | 136 min | Drama, History

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. 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 history buffs. If you loved Just Mercy or Les Misérables, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 16 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Danton and Robespierre were close friends and fought together in the French Revolution, but by 1793 Robespierre was France's ruler, determined to wipe out opposition with a series of mass executions that became known as the Reign of Terror. Danton, well known as a spokesman of the people, had been living in relative solitude in the French countryside, but he returned to Paris to challenge Robespierre's violent rule and call for the people to demand their rights. Robespierre, however, could not accept such a challenge, even from a friend and colleague, and he blocked out a plan for the capture and execution of Danton and his allies.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    85% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 BAFTA: Best Film Not in the English Language. Plus 4 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $10 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 31K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Andrzej Wajda

  • Gérard DepardieuGeorges Danton
  • Wojciech PszoniakMaximilien Robespierre
  • Patrice ChéreauCamille Desmoulins
  • Angela WinklerLucile Desmoulins
  • Roland BlancheLacroix of Eure-et-Loir
  • Alain MacéFrançois Héron
  • Jacques VilleretFrançois-Joseph Westermann
  • Anne AlvaroEléonore Duplay
  • Bogusław LindaAntoine de Saint-Just
  • Emmanuelle DebeverLouison Danton