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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) |
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Embarrassed by his huge nose, master swordsman and poet Cyrano de Bergerac (Depardieu) nurses a secret love for his cousin Roxane (Brochet). His pleasant and handsome but dull and tongue-tied colleague Christian de Neuvillette (Perez) also loves Roxane, and since Cyrano figures he has no chance with her, he agrees to woo the woman on Christian's behalf by word and letter. Roxane of course falls in love with the man of the words, who is not Christian, but how can the true lovers connect? This 1990 film version is visually sumptuous; it streamlines much of the plot and language of Edmond Rostand's beloved 1897 play (based on a real 16th century personage who was apparently nothing like this Cyrano, although he did publish some of the first science fiction stories), and Depardieu's Cyrano is more brash, robust, and brawling than many others, but it still works.
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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A soldier named Cyrano falls in love with his cousin Roxanne, but Cyrano has an overly large nose so he doesn't make a move. Another soldier also falls for Roxanne and Cyrano helps him by writing poems to Roxanne, when he still secretly likes her. Cyrano and the soldier are both sent out into war where they must deal with their love and the war.
--Jack Bauer, Resident Scholar
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It is considered one of the first movies in verse, and with Jose Ferrer's Academy Award-winning portrayal of the central character, “Cyrano de Bergerac” is a film not to be
missed. Filmed in 1950 and produced by Stanley Kramer, themovie is about the tragi-comic character of Cyrano, a man known equally for his prowess as a soldier, a
swordsman, a poet, and for the length of his nose. His nose seems to be his biggest concern and no one dares mention it in his presence. Bigger than life, the Cavalier Cyrano is not without his enemies and he seems to relish tweaking THEIR noses, as his quick wit, punctuated by his even quicker sword, oftentimes gets him into trouble. However,he is not without his romantic side, too, and he falls madly in love with Roxanne, whom he had originally thought was showing romantic interests in him as well. Alas, not to be. She is besotten by young (and tres handsome) Christian. Cyrano agrees to look after him, and
thus begins his duplicity of love for Roxanne. He writes poetry and makes speeches to Roxanne for Christian, who cannot seem to be able to put two words of romantic thought
together. This deception goes on for years, long after young Christian is killed and Roxanne has entered the nunnery. Based on the Edmond Rostand play set in 17th century Paris, “Cyrano de Bergerac” combines incredible wit and humor with the passion of romantic tragedy.
--Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 18th century
Romance/Love/Hugging
Yes
Kind of romance:
- matchmaker help
War impact on civilians/veterans
Yes
Kind of conflict:
- war (general)
Lover is...
- physically ill or deformed
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- champion of justice
Age:
- 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Nationality
- French
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- French
Main Adversary
Identity:
- general circumstances
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- France
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Non-American film?
Yes
What language?
- French
Subtitles?
- Yes
Any profanity?
- None
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 David Loftus
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