Instant Favorite.

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I watched this film years ago shortly after it was released and being a movie-buff, enjoyed it greatly.Now, finally the film has been released in its entire length on DVD and blu-ray in France (some 25 mins. were cut for the VHS release for some reason) and I jumped at the possibility of watching this rare masterpiece again.I was not disappointed in ANY way. Although the story line is largely fictional, it does center round a real incident, namely the attempted escape of the French royal family in July 1791 and although we never actually SEE the royals, apart from a short glimpse of their feet, the whole story revolves around them and the French revolution.Onboard a stagecoach which is following the same route between Paris and the northern borders of France, we find an illustrious assembly of people, among them an Austrian countess and lady-in-waiting to the Queen (Hanna Schygulla), a philosopher/writer (Jean-Louis Barrault), an American freedom fighter, Thomas Paine (Harvey Keitel), and bordering at a later hour, the ageing Casanova, (Marcello Mastroianni). Last but not least, a widow on her way home to her estate (Andrea Ferreol), a judge, and an opera singer (Laura Betti).Along the hot and dusty way they argue about and discuss the French revolution and each and everyone present their opinion on "the new world" (as the film is originally titled in Italian), i.e. the new France after the revolution.Mastroianni who plays the role of the old, half-blind Casanova, is nothing short of fantastic. Along the way, in turn each of the women, even the Countess's hairdresser (Jean-Claude Brialy) as well, proposition him and offer him their hearts and towards the end you, the viewer, are totally and utterly prepared to do the same - he is simply stunning, seldom have I seen a more dignified and charming performance.Towards the end they catch up with the royal coach which has been stopped at Varennes by "the people" and so the film ends.If you do not want to watch this for the partly political content, at least watch it for the wonderful, dignified, elegant performances by everyone and enjoy a film dialogue which has seldom been so wittily and intelligently presented as it is here, lines delivered by superb actors and actresses, thoroughly enjoying themselves throughout. Please also refer to the glowering review below by Asa_Nisi_Masa2 from 2005, which whom I fully agree, a truly remarkable film.9* out of 10 - I will be sure to watch it again and again !

Brilliantly conceived by longtime collaborators of Vittorio de Sica, cast with leading players for Marcel Carne, Federico Fellini and Martin Scorsese, this literally glowing film is a "restive" update of the era of Beaumarchais and the setting of his "Figaro," which directly inspired Renoir in Rules of the Game. Barrault and Mastroianni, with Keitel, discuss not only the events they observe (as has been mentioned) they discuss the unsettled and unsettling progress of liberty and liberation as figures of enormous note, themselves, to liberation literature and ancien regime manners, projecting sensibilities as actors we had admired in them for as much as 40 years. An authority of temperament in these players to portray their characters, including also Hanna Schygulla and those in superbly characterised parts like Pierre Malet's student, is so redundantly embedded in the scenario and production, under Scola's direction, that it is not only tempting but necessary to welcome this film as the descendant also of Les Enfants du Paradis. Imagine a coachful of radicals and fugitive aristocrats, almost as endangered (and sometimes, reciprocating) as Ford's odd lot in "Stagecoach," in an accidental salon furnishing a literal tour d'horison, externally, of the upheavals of revolution they discuss with the animation of their own convictions and reservations, within. From the moment the coach all but collides with Casanova's in an opening scene, this film concentrates in the mind two apprehensions of finality on parallel tracks, while two naive regimes careen together into history in the same reel -- the "age of conversation" of the Enlightenment in France, and the age of humanism in western European cinema. As a testamentary work it should be viewed with "Le Petit Theatre de Jean Renoir" and "Akira Kurosawa's Dreams," yet without the concordance of footnotes which younger viewers might need for these films. "La Nuit" wears its authority visibly and openly collegially, but very much to the same radiant effect.

One of the most satisfying films I've seen. A bit obtuse but very well done if you are fond of tongue in cheek humor, outstanding portrayals, great direction and cinematography.The short version: This a whimsy that follows an aging Casanova and an eclectic group of Frenchmen as they travel through the French countryside in a coach during the time of the French Revolution. It's a comedy presented with delicacy and intellect and the cinematography is outstanding. It may or may not strike you as outstanding, as it did me, but it is so worth the time it will take to find it and see it two or three times.I just read the first posted review and had to laugh out loud. Aw shucks yawl, if it's so bad, why are copies on VHS selling for $300 to $400? I lost my copy to a friend who borrowed many times and never returned anything. Shame on her.If anyone knows where I can find a copy on VHS to dub, I'd be so appreciative. Thanks and do take a peek. "groovycuvee@netscape.net".

While Louis XVI is fleeing Paris, a stagecoach travels the same route. The passengers discuss philosophy and politics, they meet Casanova on his way to Germany, they arrive in Varennes to witness the arrest of the King. It is an interesting movie, sometimes pretentious, sometimes brilliant. The cast is excellent and makes up for its shortcomings.