Vatel | 
| Director: Roland Joffe
Actors: Gerard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Timothy Spall, Julian Glover
Studio: Miramax
Category: DVD
List Price: $32.99
Buy New: $8.90
You Save: $24.09 (73%)
New (31) Used (10) from $8.90
Rating:  37 reviews
Sales Rank: 9303
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5 x 0.6
MPN: DISD21684D
ISBN: 0788827014
UPC: 786936145083
EAN: 9780788827013
ASIN: B00005K3OU
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Release Date: August 7, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 05/06/2003 Run time: 119 minutes Rating: Pg13
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| Customer Reviews: Read 32 more reviews...
 For those with a taste for all things French... June 1, 2009
L Gontzes (Athens, Greece)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Vatel brings to the screen the story of a French noble's manservant whose task is to set up three-day long extravagant activities to keep King Louis XIV and his entourage entertained.
The setting is Chantilly in 1671 and the Prince de Conde's head steward, Vatel, is trying to put on the show of a lifetime for his master who wishes to be assigned command of the French armies in an upcoming war against the Dutch. Vatel, however, will soon find out that the difficulties encountered go well beyond the technical aspect...
The film brings to the screen two main stories, which are unfolding simultaneously: On the one hand, life at Louis XIV's court (along with the first signs that things are not going well such as wasteful, corrupt, and overly aloof royals, bankrupt nobles, and unpaid creditors; in essence important factors contributing to the 1789 French Revolution that is to come), and on the other, Vatel's inner struggle with his own emotions.
The movie portrays life in France in the seventeenth century and provides valuable insight into a very important period of French (European) History. We get a taste (though a very light one) of France's domestic and foreign political situation (i.e. corruption, clientelism, and cronyism as well as tense Franco-Dutch relations).
Gerard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Julian Sands, Julian Glover, Tim Roth, and the rest of the cast, have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows!
The setting, the dialogues, the music, and the costumes are all wonderful!
Very well written and very well presented, it allows for a thought-provoking movie that will definitely provide for an evening's entertainment.
In short, Vatel is a movie definitely worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection (if you haven't done so already)!
Strongly recommended along with Napoleon the TV Miniseries (starring Christian Clavier, Isabella Rossellini, Gerard Depardieu, and John Malkovich), Queen Margot (Isabelle Adjani), Brotherhood of the Wolf (Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel), Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst), and Vidocq (Gerard Depardieu, Ines Sastre, Guillome Canet) for those with a soft spot for France and French History.
Extraordinary... May 12, 2009
Derek Flint (ZOWIE)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
There is indeed a profound and historically rooted yarn here. It will not be realized until the very end and it will take some reflection on the viewer's part. What a visual treat getting there. The cinematography is exemplary. The slow start lays a contextual foundation for the second half of the film that is essential.
I can see why this film would not appeal to passive viewers as it is not going to (nor should it) explain everything to them in explicit grade school language.
Beautiful Cinema, a DVD to enjoy again and again January 21, 2009
John Lewis (Aldwincle, Northamptonshire United Kingdom)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
VATEL is one of those rare cinema experiences which has everyting going for it. Excellent script, excellent director, excellent cast.
A visually splendid movie, which anyone who has ever asked 'How did they manage to serve such lavish banquets, and provide such breathtaking entertainment to the court of Louis XIV?' Seeing this DVD will answer many of those questions.
This is not a documentary, but a well crafted piece of cinema, which kept me engrossed right up to the very end.
The sets, costumes and dialogue are all exactly right for the period. The behind the scenes intrigue and the behind the 'scenes' preparations just to ammuse the king, blend together laying bare the pre-French revolution decadance of the court of Louis XIV.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the best in historically accurate cinema!
 Boring, boring, oh so boring... May 26, 2007
Frida Admirer (Earth, USA)
9 out of 19 found this review helpful
Half an hour into the movie, I honestly was bored to tears and nearly cringed at this entire film. The only thing that's good about this film is the visuals, but flashy visuals don't mean anything if there's not a story. After just 20 minutes I got tired of watching the actors do nothing more but turn up their noses in snobbery and trying to acquire a French accent, which is not the least bit natural or believable. And Uma Thurman is absolutely boring and lackluster. In general, Vatel was boring. Even if there was an actual story, i wouldn't even care to know.
VATEL:Your life is not your own when owned by the King February 21, 2007
KerrLines (Baltimore,MD)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
No matter how much the King may says he favours you,in the end you are still his property,and therefore dispensible! This is the harsh reality of Court Life under the reign of Louis X1V.Everyone is a puppet,dancing,singing,cooking and even performing sexually for the pleasure of the King.Enter a bankrupt Prince who seeks to regain the favour of the King by planning the most sumptuous weekend entertainments of spectacle and mirth.He calls upon his chief steward,Vatel (Depardieu) as the only one who could pull off such a fete.All stops are to be pulled out,and Vatel tirelessly attends to every decadent detail.It is during the planning of this amusement that Vatel is captivated by Anne (UmaThurman),a stunning Courtier whose very existence also is held in the balance by the King.These two see their very existence and worth devalued to the point of death and ignominity over this weekend,as they both come to the stark realization that their lives are not their own,and never will be.VATEL is a startling and sadly true tale.Movies with such screenplays and attention to costumes and set that are so boldly and intricately made are relatively rare; but when the likes of renowned playright Tom Stoppard and orchestrater/composer Ennio Morricone and director Roland Joffe are involved it is tough to have anything but a hugely entertaining success.VATEL succeeds on ALL LEVELS.Once seen it will likely never be forgotten.Lovers of Early French Baroque music will be enthralled with a soundtrack that is filled with the tunes of Jean-Phillippe Rameau. Excellent companion movies
to watch would be ALL THE MORNINGS OF THE WORLD and RIDICULE.
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