
Let Joy Reign Supreme
Seen it?1975 | 120 min | War, History, Drama
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- One for anyone who loves a story about hope against the odds and anyone who likes stories from the past brought to life. The walls close in, and so does the tension. Sits nicely alongside Hunger or Nuremberg.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Gives its people room to develop, at 2 hr.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1975: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.
A look at 18th-century France, when the depravity of the authorities contributed to social oppression, and the uprisings flared up one after another.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
4 wins and 3 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$8 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 3K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
De Gaulle: LibertéWeeknight WatchAnother historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
HungerFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed prison historical drama.
NurembergSaturday SpecialAnother historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Sarah's KeySunday Safe BetAnother war drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Escape from SobiborSunday Safe BetAnother war drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Bertrand Tavernier
- Philippe NoiretPhilip of Orléans
- Jean RochefortAbbot Dubois
- Jean-Pierre MarielleThe Marquis de Pontcallec
- Marina VladyThe Marchioness of Parabère
- Christine PascalEmilie
- Alfred AdamFrançois de Neufville, Duke of Villeroy
- Jean-Roger CaussimonThe Cardinal
- Gérard DesartheThe Duke of Bourbon
- Michel BeauneCaptain La Griolais
- Monique ChaumetteYvonne, governess of Pontcallec