Release Date

01 Apr, 1942

Runtime

01:35: (HH:MM)

Synopsis

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.

Original Title

La Symphonie fantastique

Photos

×

Actors

Jean-Louis Barrault

Renée Saint-Cyr

Lise Delamare

Jules Berry

Bernard Blier

Gilbert Gil

Julien Bertheau

Catherine Fonteney

Louis Seigner

Noël Roquevert

Roland Armontel

Rivers Cadet

Fabienne Clery

Jacques Cossin

Lucien Coëdel

Jean Darcante

Joé Davray

Mona Dol

Maurice Dorléac

Jacques Dynam

René Fluet

Crew

Christian-Jaque

Maurice-Paul Guillot

Hector Berlioz

André du Dognon

Charles Exbrayat

Jean-Pierre Feydeau

Jean-Pierre Feydeau

André Legrand

André Legrand

Jacques Desagneaux

Andrej Andrejew

Rosine Delamare

William Robert Sivel

Nicolas Wilcke