La Symphonie fantastique - 1942

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.

95min
1942
Released
Trakio rating0.0/10
IMDB rating5.9/10

Cast

Jean-Louis Barrault profile pictureJean-Louis BarraultHector Berlioz
Renée Saint-Cyr profile pictureRenée Saint-CyrMarie Martin
Lise Delamare profile pictureLise DelamareHarriet Smithson
Jules Berry profile pictureJules BerrySchlesinger
Bernard Blier profile pictureBernard BlierAntoine Charbonnel
Gilbert Gil profile pictureGilbert GilLouis Berlioz
Julien Bertheau profile pictureJulien BertheauVictor Hugo (uncredited)
Louis Seigner profile pictureLouis SeignerHabeneck (uncredited)
Noël Roquevert profile pictureNoël RoquevertGendarme (uncredited)
Roland Armontel profile pictureRoland ArmontelEugène Delacroix (uncredited)
Rivers Cadet profile pictureRivers CadetConsumer (uncredited)
Lucien Coëdel profile pictureLucien CoëdelTypographer (uncredited)
Jacques Dynam profile pictureJacques Dynam(uncredited)
René Fluet profile pictureRené FluetJules Janin (uncredited)
Pierre Magnier profile picturePierre MagnierProfessor (uncredited)
Georges Mauloy profile pictureGeorges MauloyDean of the Academies (uncredited)
Marcelle Monthil profile pictureMarcelle MonthilDresser (uncredited
Louis Salou profile pictureLouis SalouDirector of the Opéra (uncredited)
Maurice Schutz profile pictureMaurice SchutzNiccolò Paganini (uncredited)
Michel Vitold profile pictureMichel VitoldOrchestra conductor (uncredited)

About La Symphonie fantastique

La Symphonie fantastique Overview

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.

Runtime: 95min

Extra details

Original Title: La Symphonie fantastique
Original Language: French
Directed By: Christian-Jaque
Production Companies
Continental Films