8 reviews
Drama/History
1h 35m
1942
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...

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.
- DirectorChristian-Jaque
- Release1 April 1942
- Genre
- Duration1h 35m
- Budget?
- Revenue?
- Rate8 reviews
- Productions
Continental Films
Cast

Jean-Louis Barrault
Hector Berlioz

Renée Saint-Cyr
Marie Martin

Lise Delamare
Harriet Smithson

Jules Berry
Schlesinger

Bernard Blier
Antoine Charbonnel

Gilbert Gil
Louis Berlioz

Julien Bertheau
Victor Hugo (uncredited)

Catherine Fonteney
Madame Berlioz mother (uncredited)

Louis Seigner
Habeneck (uncredited)

Noël Roquevert
Gendarme (uncredited)

Roland Armontel
Eugène Delacroix (uncredited)

Rivers Cadet
Consumer (uncredited)

Lucien Coëdel
Typographer (uncredited)

Jean Darcante
Prosper Mérimée (uncredited)

Joé Davray
Student (uncredited)

Jacques Dynam
(uncredited)

René Fluet
Jules Janin (uncredited)

Georges Gosset
Alexandre Dumas (uncredited)

Pierre Magnier
Professor (uncredited)

Georges Mauloy
Dean of the Academies (uncredited)

Marcelle Monthil
Dresser (uncredited

Louis Salou
Director of the Opéra (uncredited)

Maurice Schutz
Niccolò Paganini (uncredited)

Roger Vincent
(uncredited)

Michel Vitold
Orchestra conductor (uncredited)

Georges Vitray
Ship's commander (uncredited)

Eugène Yvernès
(uncredited)
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