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Samuel L. Jackson, Don McKellar, Carlo Cecchi, Irene Grazioli, Jean-Luc Bideau ... see more see more... , Christoph Koncz , Jason Flemyng , Greta Scacchi , Sylvia Chang , Liu Zi Feng , Colm Feore , Monique Mercure

Francois Girard directed this drama tracing the history of a musical instrument through five countries and three centuries. In 1681, to keep the spirit of his wife alive, an Italian paints the violin ... read more read more...with a red varnish made from her blood. It is later found in the Austrian Alps when a prodigy gives a performance in the court of Vienna in 1792. Taken by gypsies, the instrument is acquired by a Dionysian composer. After a journey by boat to China in 1966, it is hidden during the Cultural Revolution. In contemporary Canada, it is spotted at an auction house by a violin expert (Samuel L. Jackson) who becomes obsessed with it. Scripted by Girard and Don McKellar. Filmed on a $10 million budget in Montreal, China, Italy, Austria, and Oxford. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

33,684 ratings

Critics

73% liked it

40 critics

R, 2 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: François Girard

Release Date: June 11, 1999

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DVD Release Date: December 14, 1999

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Stats: 1,913 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,913)

  • fb1672039553
    February 4, 2012
    fb1672039553
    This is a 2.5-hour episode of "Hoarders" where collectors of stuff turn into Gollum in the presence of this precious creation. I'm not judging - by the end of the movie, I too became Gollum. How many people alive today carry personal tales of the world's people, places and events... read more of the past 300 years? How many other violins have been in a Ménage à trois? How many items born into this world came at such a high cost to its creators? Where's my 2 million dollars? I'm ready to do some antiquing!
  • liquidchick76
    September 18, 2010
    liquidchick76
    Gorgeous.
  • Redlats
    November 11, 2008
    Redlats
    An interesting movie that follows the life of a 17th century violin through its many owners across centuries and continents, all tied together by the words of a soothsayer.
  • DrZeek
    May 28, 2008
    DrZeek
    Charles Morritz: What do you do when the thing you most wanted, so perfect, just comes?

    A very good story that spans several centuries, telling the story of a number of characters in relation to a particular musical instrument, a red violin, an instrument constructed perfectly, ... read morebut also cursed to bring some kind of harm to almost anyone who comes into contact with it.

    As stated, the movie spans over 300 years. We see the violin's creation in the 1680s and where it ends up in the 1990s. Between this time we are given about five stories, each in a different time period. For example, one involves a skilled musician in Oxford, who becomes consumed by writing music with the violin, so much so, his life eventually deteriorates.

    All of the stories are somewhat threaded together by the present day narrative, taking place at an auction house where it will be sold to a willing enough bidder. It is here that we see a role from Sam Jackson, which is always welcome.

    As interesting and well handled as the story is, and as good looking as the film is, much of the joy comes from the score of the film, which won an Oscar. It is of course fully composed by violins, centering around a main theme that plays in each story.

    At over two hours, there is certainly a lot of movie here, with a somewhat slow progression, but even then, the story, which moves around in terms of its time, works well enough at revealing various elements and does so in a fairly clever manner.

    Charles Morritz: Yes, I'm coming back soon, and I have a present for you. Something very special.
  • ceWEBrity
    July 10, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    A musical Babel. The Red Violin is perhaps most notable for its amazing soundtrack, for which it picked up an Oscar. Some of the pieces will be with you for a very long time after watching this film. In fact, The Red Violin is a sumptuous feast for the senses - aural, visual and ... read moreemotional. The movie is a dizzying cocktail of grace and beauty. Each scene is toned perfectly.

    Though The Red Violin does a great job connecting the many cultures featured in this film (better than Babel, even), there are some aspects of the writing that don't sit particularly well. Something about the plot seems very...pat. None of the characters are very involving, and there's little sense of loss throughout the course of the movie. Though a lot of tragedy befalls the handful of protagonists we see, none of it is very effective. Perhaps it's because we don't spend much time with them, but I think The Red Violin is afraid to add edge to the cruelties of life. It is entertaining, harmless, but not involving. The ending is also a total stinker; frustrating for all the wrong reasons and totally out of left field.

    If the plot had a little more potency, The Red Violin would be a memorable and epic experience. In its current state, it is an interesting glimpse into several different cultures, juxtaposed with some truly incredible music. Though a good movie in its own right, I can't help but feel that it didn't meet the standards it set for itself.
  • sainttom93
    January 14, 2007
    sainttom93
    But very slow-going
  • fb100001786722043
    May 12, 2012
    fb100001786722043
    'The Red Violin' (1998) features such dramatic undertones from all different geographical places in time. The film has such a luxuriously vibe that it can be very connecting.
  • SunilJawahir
    May 25, 2008
    SunilJawahir
    I think this film is WAY too contrived and overly sentimental.
  • shannylee38
    December 20, 2006
    shannylee38
    The sound of music has awaken my ears again!
  • falcons84
    April 23, 2006
    falcons84
    Beautiful and moving. If your heart doesn't break because of the haunting music, you'll at least be intrigued by the lovely intertwined storylines. Awesome.

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Critic Reviews

S. James Wegg
October 10, 2004
S. James Wegg, JWR

François Girard ... with co-writer Don McKellar and an able cast, has spun a yarn that crosses all manner of boundaries: geographic, artistic, and taste. Full Review

Ken Hanke
October 7, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The story lines, while having little direct connection to historical events, are obviously grounded in musical and artistic legend. Full Review

Judith Egerton
July 2, 2004
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

It is disconcerting to see {Jackson}...after watching his exceptional performances as crazy criminals in two Quentin Tarantino movies. Full Review

John A. Nesbit
July 2, 2003
John A. Nesbit, ToxicUniverse.com

entertains with fanciful fable and contains beautiful virtuoso violin solos (by Joshua Bell) and location shooting, but offers little substance Full Review

James O'Ehley
May 25, 2003
James O'Ehley, Movie Gurus

Derided by some contrarian critics for being "safe", this is an ambitious and at times uneven epic that stretches several continents and centuries . . . Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 5, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A spiritually rich and musically sublime drama about the soulful dimensions of beauty. Full Review

David Sterritt
January 1, 2000
David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor

Girard invests each episode of this production with dramatic credibility and emotional strength. Full Review

Chuck Rudolph
January 1, 2000
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine

If the movie didn't pat itself on the back so often for being arty, than it might come off as an interesting, if flawed film. Full Review

Ed Kelleher
January 1, 2000
Ed Kelleher, Film Journal International

A good score can only do so much and, too often here, it is undercut by an overly sentimental story. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

If you see it, it should be only for the wonderful solo violin of Joshua Bell. Full Review

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The Red Violin (Le violon rouge) Trivia

  • This movie spanned 300 years, covered 5 countries, had over 50 actors as part of the plot line. It also won 1 Oscar, 8 Genie Awards, 9 Jutra Awards, and 1 Golden Reel.   Answer »
  • What 1999 film with a color in the title follows a musical antique from Italy (where it was made) through Austria, England, China, to Canada (where it is stolen)? The characters speak the native language of each country.  Answer »
  • Which virtuoso played the lead violin part for the score of the 1998 film The Red Violin (Le Violon Rouge)?  Answer »
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