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Gérard Depardieu, Anne Brochet, Vincent Perez, Jacques Weber, Roland Bertin ... see more see more... , Philippe Morier-Genoud , Philippe Volter , Pierre Maguelon , Josiane Stoleru , Gabriel Monnet , Yves Aubert , Pierre Aussedat , Jean-Damien Barbin , Eric Bernard , Cécile Camp , Christiane Culerier , Anatole Delalande , Alain Dumas , Nicole Félix , Catherine Ferran , Claudine Gabay , Philippe Girard , Amelie Gonin , Isabelle Gruault , Franck Jazede , Sandrine Kiberlain , Louis Lavarre , Christian Loustau , Francois Marie , Madeleine Marion , Louis Navarre , Quentin Ogier , Lucien Pascal , Jacques Pater , Herve Pauchon , Alain Perez , Franck Ramon , Alain Rimoux , Baptiste Roussillon , Christian Roy , Ludivine Sagnier , Pierre Triboulet , Benoit Vergne , Louise Vincent , Jean-Marie Winling , Eric Frey

Edmond Rostand's classic drama of inner and outer beauty is given a lavish treatment in this acclaimed French production. Gérard Depardieu portrays the title character, a brilliant, charismatic swords... read more read more...man with a generous spirit and a genius for poetry. It would seem that such a man would have no trouble attracting women, but Cyrano considers himself doomed to loneliness by an unattractive face featuring an oversized nose. His feelings of inadequacy are emphasized when Roxane, the beautiful woman he adores, attracts the attention of Christian, a young cadet in Cyrano's service. Christian lacks the poetic gift, however, and he ironically turns to Cyrano for help in winning Roxane's love. What follows is a tale of deception, with Roxane falling in love with the ineloquent Christian thanks to Cyrano's words of love. The underlying narrative has become quite familiar to modern audiences through retellings and variations from the 1950 adaptation starring José Ferrer to Steve Martin's Roxanne. Director Jean-Paul Rappeneau's interpretation stresses the tragic majesty of the original, setting a vigorous performance by Depardieu against a beautifully designed reproduction of the period and an emphasis on the sound and poetry of Rostand's original language; the subtitles for the film's English release were penned by renowned British author Anthony Burgess. This attention to detail creates a particularly faithful cinematic rendering of the original work that met with positive critical responses. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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88% liked it

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27 critics

PG, 2 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Release Date: March 28, 1990

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DVD Release Date: February 10, 2004

Stats: 854 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (854)

  • garyX
    January 21, 2011
    garyX
    Based on the classic of French literature, Cyrano is the tale of a brave and noble soldier with the body of a bearish brute but soul of a poet who helps a more visually appealing competitor gain the affections of his true love. There are a few parts that certain actors were born ... read moreto play, and this was Gerard Depardieu's. He is simply wonderful as the eloquent and dashing hero who sets aside his jealousies to achieve true love by vicarious means. It's essentially about being true to one's soul and failing to compromise through all adversity as well as a morality fable with the simple message of "don't judge a book by its cover". It's a faithful adaptation of the material, and as such is quite wordy although its eloquence will win over all but the most hardened action junkie. Passionate, larger than life, romantic and tragic in equal measure, this Cyrano is easily the best screen adaptation and very, very French.
  • pier007
    September 10, 2010
    pier007
    Gerard Depardieu shines as Cyrano, the brute swordsman with the soul of a witty and loquacious poet. A passionate chant to real love, beyond any superficial matter.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 22, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    There is no better Cyrano De Bergerac like the one with Gèrard Depardieu my friends.
  • sanjurosamurai
    December 12, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    a striking portrayal of the classic work, the story is told well and the camera work and acting are excellent. the choreography and length of the battle scenes was a little less than desireable, but the rest of the film was near perfect. the use of poetry was engaging. a highl... read morey recommended and beautiful film.
  • 76Majikat
    December 9, 2008
    76Majikat
    Possibly one of the most emotionally charged tragic romances ever written, re-made as a comedy with Steve Martin ? Roxanne, the comparisons between the two storylines were very similar, of course this one the serious version and the re-make, a comedy.

    This version offers a poe... read moretic tale set back further in time. Quite strangely the star crossed lovers in this case are Cousins, plus the film is in the French language, but it?s English sub-titles are the lines in the poetry that rhyme.

    This film does require a certain amount of patience, but it?s worth it for this great French classic.
  • danperry17
    January 9, 2008
    danperry17
    High school French class... yeah... or maybe university?? I don't know... I think I'd remember if it was a better movie, but I remember that it didn't suck despite it being a very slow starter.
  • ebs90
    July 18, 2007
    ebs90
    A modern epic... when I saw this, which my dad bought for me, i just thought, Wow, this is a real movie. And Gerard Depardieu is a real actor. It just feels a real movie, that lends importance to all five senses of the viewer. The dialogue, in verse, is both hugely romantic and ... read morehilarious (in reference to its terrific sense of humor). Perhaps a bit long, but it doesn't show. Depardieu's performance is larger than life: just watch the scene at the balcony. Wow.
  • deano
    March 13, 2007
    deano
    Gerard Depardieu is perfect for the part, and eminently believable in the more emotional moments of this brilliant French film version of the famous Rostand play.
  • hypathio7
    December 30, 2011
    hypathio7
    High production values, the lived-in colors and the sound of the original French language are really the selling points of this adaptation in my opinion. The sets are freed from the stage. Some slapstick-like comic bits are returned to lighten the mood particularly in the scenes ... read morewith the soldiers. Gerard Depardieu is made up with a more natural looking large nose. He is more believable in his low self confidence when it comes to expressing his love for Roxane. Anne Brochet as Roxane gets to play a slightly larger role near the end when she sneaks into the camp where Cyrano, Christian and the other soldiers are surrounded. Vincent Perez gives the best portrayal of Christian of the various versions I've seen. A great romance that looks back on a chivalric time and the ideal of a poet/soldier.
  • chaleins
    September 16, 2010
    chaleins
    The 1990 version by Jean-Paul Rappeneau is, to my mind, one of the best adaptations of the Rostand story, and a great romance/drama. This version even surpasses some very fine stage adaptations that I?ve seen, and it?s a great story for the stage. You?ve seen the theme many times... read more, the unrequited love of a tragic hero for the maiden, but never like presented here. Gerard Depardieu made this character and movie completely his own, and Rappeneau managed to make all the members of the love triangle equally sympathetic. Christian does come off as sincere, and Roxane does come off as intelligent, but also kind. This pays huge dividends at the end of the movie, with Cyrano?s big revelation that he?s carried with him for many years.

    The film treats the key episodes of the romance and wooing by proxy with a skilled artistry that you don?t see in many romances. The idea of writing someone else?s letters for wooing is humorous, and the humor is played perfectly throughout: It?s never ridiculous, because Depardieu and his co-stars play their roles exactly right. The poetry and Cyrano?s love of words is clear, and even the inexperienced Christian is moved. The film could tip into the maudlin at times, but it doesn?t. It feels true. The duels and wordplay are also well-handled, and even Cyrano?s enemies have good moments. It?s also an interesting period of history, and the whole flashing blades/musketeers era beautifully portrayed. One of the best of its type. The acting and ?being there? feeling is spot-on. You feel every insult, and you see how personal the duels are, both with words, and with swords. The stakes are high with Anne Brochet as the object of the men?s desire. This talented comedienne and actress certainly found some depth and intelligence to a character that is often portrayed as merely coquettish or dismissive. Here, we get all the emotions of the love triangle.

    The all-french production also shines with its cinematography, art direction, and of course, costumes. The score by Jean-Claude Petit is appropriate and understated.

    The final sequences on the battlefield are well-shot and interesting to watch. The final minutes, with Cyrano?s death are well-handled. If you?ve ever loved someone that didn?t love you, that final scene will poke at your heartstrings.

    In French of course, but you hardly notice. Recommended.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
February 1, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Gerard Depardieu gives a tour de force Oscar-nominated performance in this sumptuous (and best) screen version of the famous play Full Review

Tim Brayton
November 21, 2010
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

More artistry and energy than virtually any American costume drama from that period you could name. Full Review

Ken Hanke
July 11, 2007
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The great thing about Jean-Paul Rappeneau's 1990 film -- apart from Gerard Depardieu's central performance -- is that it returns the play to its popular entertainment self. Full Review

MaryAnn Johanson
August 8, 2004
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher

[T]here's a kind of soaring beauty to this expansively passionate film... Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus
March 2, 2004
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide

There are better love stories, but Cyrano is arguably the ultimate celebration of the romantic spirit… Depardieu makes the part forever his own. Full Review

James Sanford
August 17, 2003
James Sanford, James Sanford on Film

From the opening scene in which he takes on a theater full of pretentious actors to the grand tearjerking finale, Cyrano is always the center of attention, and Depardieu, full of wit, bravado and pass... Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 15, 2003
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Gives romantic love a good name, thanks to the flamboyant performance of Gerard Depardieu in this classic. Full Review

David Poland
July 26, 2002
David Poland, Hot Button

A modern movie the way they used to make `em

David Bezanson
January 1, 2000
David Bezanson, Filmcritic.com

involving and depressing Full Review

Chris Hicks
January 1, 2000
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City

The entire cast is marvelous here, but Depardieu is riveting when he's on the screen - which is most of the time. Full Review

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Cyrano De Bergerac Trivia

  • The movie Roxanne (starring Steve Martin) is an adaptation of which literary classic?  Answer »
  • When C.D. (Charlie) is challenged to think of 20 better jokes than "big nose", one of them is taken directly from the original scene in Cyrano De Bergerac. Which one?  Answer »
  • "Roxanne" is based on the french play "Cyrano de Bergerac". In both, the lead character is know for having a large what?  Answer »
  • What famous French play is the Steve Martin movie "Roxanne" based on?  Answer »
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