InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Bob Pr. This French film is much more meaningful to French citizens (who undoubtedly are far more familiar with the history of their country's transition from monarchy to democratic republic than most non-French citizens). I rushed to Wikipedia to read about Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, and this era as soon as I got home from seeing this film. And for those also unfamiliar with it, I recommend potential viewers also read about them and the French transition from monarchy to citizen democracy before seeing this film; I think that'll make it far more meaningful.The scenes were great -- they captured the time and life/era exceedingly well; the actors were interesting and very appropriate. But, in my lacking an extensive enough appreciation of this era and its events, I agree totally with Roger Ebert's review (he gave it 2.5 stars of 4): http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/la-nuit-de-varennes-1983 (2.5 of 4)

Henryk von Babenberg I watched this film years ago shortly after it was released and being a movie-buff, enjoyed it greatly.Now, finally the film has been released in its entire length on DVD and blu-ray in France (some 25 mins. were cut for the VHS release for some reason) and I jumped at the possibility of watching this rare masterpiece again.I was not disappointed in ANY way. Although the story line is largely fictional, it does center round a real incident, namely the attempted escape of the French royal family in July 1791 and although we never actually SEE the royals, apart from a short glimpse of their feet, the whole story revolves around them and the French revolution.Onboard a stagecoach which is following the same route between Paris and the northern borders of France, we find an illustrious assembly of people, among them an Austrian countess and lady-in-waiting to the Queen (Hanna Schygulla), a philosopher/writer (Jean-Louis Barrault), an American freedom fighter, Thomas Paine (Harvey Keitel), and bordering at a later hour, the ageing Casanova, (Marcello Mastroianni). Last but not least, a widow on her way home to her estate (Andrea Ferreol), a judge, and an opera singer (Laura Betti).Along the hot and dusty way they argue about and discuss the French revolution and each and everyone present their opinion on "the new world" (as the film is originally titled in Italian), i.e. the new France after the revolution.Mastroianni who plays the role of the old, half-blind Casanova, is nothing short of fantastic. Along the way, in turn each of the women, even the Countess's hairdresser (Jean-Claude Brialy) as well, proposition him and offer him their hearts and towards the end you, the viewer, are totally and utterly prepared to do the same - he is simply stunning, seldom have I seen a more dignified and charming performance.Towards the end they catch up with the royal coach which has been stopped at Varennes by "the people" and so the film ends.If you do not want to watch this for the partly political content, at least watch it for the wonderful, dignified, elegant performances by everyone and enjoy a film dialogue which has seldom been so wittily and intelligently presented as it is here, lines delivered by superb actors and actresses, thoroughly enjoying themselves throughout. Please also refer to the glowering review below by Asa_Nisi_Masa2 from 2005, which whom I fully agree, a truly remarkable film.9* out of 10 - I will be sure to watch it again and again !

calhounterrace Brilliantly conceived by longtime collaborators of Vittorio de Sica, cast with leading players for Marcel Carne, Federico Fellini and Martin Scorsese, this literally glowing film is a "restive" update of the era of Beaumarchais and the setting of his "Figaro," which directly inspired Renoir in Rules of the Game. Barrault and Mastroianni, with Keitel, discuss not only the events they observe (as has been mentioned) they discuss the unsettled and unsettling progress of liberty and liberation as figures of enormous note, themselves, to liberation literature and ancien regime manners, projecting sensibilities as actors we had admired in them for as much as 40 years. An authority of temperament in these players to portray their characters, including also Hanna Schygulla and those in superbly characterised parts like Pierre Malet's student, is so redundantly embedded in the scenario and production, under Scola's direction, that it is not only tempting but necessary to welcome this film as the descendant also of Les Enfants du Paradis. Imagine a coachful of radicals and fugitive aristocrats, almost as endangered (and sometimes, reciprocating) as Ford's odd lot in "Stagecoach," in an accidental salon furnishing a literal tour d'horison, externally, of the upheavals of revolution they discuss with the animation of their own convictions and reservations, within. From the moment the coach all but collides with Casanova's in an opening scene, this film concentrates in the mind two apprehensions of finality on parallel tracks, while two naive regimes careen together into history in the same reel -- the "age of conversation" of the Enlightenment in France, and the age of humanism in western European cinema. As a testamentary work it should be viewed with "Le Petit Theatre de Jean Renoir" and "Akira Kurosawa's Dreams," yet without the concordance of footnotes which younger viewers might need for these films. "La Nuit" wears its authority visibly and openly collegially, but very much to the same radiant effect.

kierkegaard13 I am not a fan of French movies, especially since I watched Queen Margot. This movie did nothing to change my view. I don't like the way it is scripted, edited, and the unreveling of plot. Nevertheless, this does not mean my opinion on the movie is low. Movie is actually quite good. Only big complaint that I have about it is those little historical episodes, which are quite unnerving. Certain knowledge of French history is prerequisite for watching the movie and no one minute stories are going to help people get better outlook on it.Actor portraying Restif was annoying (I really can't remember his name). Marchello Mastroiani, needless to say, was remarkable. Characters in the movie are by most part quite commical, especially Restif and M Jacob. Comtesse is annoying and her sluttiness becomes such an obstacle to enjoying the movie most of the time.In general, this is a good movie, just that I didn't like it. I give it seven out of ten.