The Horseman on the Roof
The Horseman on the Roof
| 20 September 1995 (USA)
The Horseman on the Roof Trailers

In a time of war and disease, a young officer gallantly tries to help a young woman find her husband.

Reviews
ada the leading man is my tpye
Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.
Marva-nova Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.
Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.
cengelm Italian patriot Colonel Angelo Pardi is fleeing his country in 1832. He enters the cholera ridden French Provence. There he meets Pauline who is lovelessly married to rich Marquis de Théus. Together they will look for him. The road movie starts pretty slow and chaotic. More often than once I was confused about what was going on. A lot of swashbuckling, dead people, crows and crows again, some chases. There seemed to be no real plot or focus. Then after about one hour suddenly it got better and delivered what I was expecting. The romance between Juliette Binoche and Olivier Martinez gained momentum and the story got some direction. The ending was a bit melodramatic and lacked credibility but I won't ask for too much.Both lead actors did a good job. Cinematography was good and benefited from the setup in France's beautiful landscape. There was an improvement to be seen after a rather bad start.6 / 10
sarahmcm-2 I found the film historically poignant in reference to the period of history when the plague ravaged Europe. You feel what people must have felt during that era.The romance was sensitive and based on harsh realities of the epoch in question. This was in my mind, different and refreshing. I recommend this movie to the student of history as well as those who would study love and how love grows in a relationship.I felt the actors were a good pick and stood up well to the task at hand.A great example of some of the recent French films that have come on the scene lately.
mahajanssen This gorgeous movie was set in the cholera stricken period which wiped out the whole of Europe in 10 days. Juliette Binoche, in her pre-The English Patient role, was as gorgeous and subtle as ever. The thing about this movie though that it's billed as a romance but you don't see it anywhere but just hints of it and feel the sexual tensions between the 2 main characters. Rather disappointing for some but it's that exact same formula which makes it such a beautiful movie to watch. To top it off, it was filmed in the French countryside which is so breathtaking that you could just watch the movie for the cinematography alone. All in all, it's a superb movie in the tradition of finely crafted French costume dramas.
blueboot In brief, I love this film because it is as close to perfection as a movie can be. If you are not too daunted by subtitles (in French) then you will find an original tale, superbly acted by both the leading characters and entire supporting cast. It will keep you on the edge-of- your-seat. Emotionally it's touching, gripping, packed with exciting swashbuckling action, and crammed full with beautiful photographic scenery or backdrops. Every scene or line spoken is tightly relevant to the story. At no point does this engaging film lose focus or become predictable.The period is set in Central Europe during the 19th Century, where Europe is beset by war and worse, disease. People are more wary of strangers, or mad with fright, should they be murdered or fall victim to the rampaging cholera. One crazed or inspired thing happens after another throughout the captivating story. However, there's a fine balance between the hectic frenzy and the subtle quieter moments, as an unspoken love develops between the honourable dashing young nobleman Colonel and his new companion, the confident aristocrat married woman (Juliette Binoche), in search of her lost husband. The manner by which he chances upon her to begin with is unique and amusing. Juliette Binoche and Olivier Martinez should have deservedly walked away with Oscars, as should everyone involved for script, cinematography, music, costumes and direction! To summarise, one of the best made films you or I will ever have the privilege see.