Babettes Gæstebud (Babette's Feast) (1987)

93% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(8,467 ratings)

The Danish/French Babette's Feast is based on a story by Isak Dinesen, also the source of the very different Out of Africa (1985). Stephane Audran plays Babette, a 19th century Parisian political refugee who seeks shelter in a rough Danish coastal town. Philippa (Bodil Kjer) and Martina (Birgitte… More The Danish/French Babette's Feast is based on a story by Isak Dinesen, also the source of the very different Out of Africa (1985). Stephane Audran plays Babette, a 19th century Parisian political refugee who seeks shelter in a rough Danish coastal town. Philippa (Bodil Kjer) and Martina (Birgitte Federspiel), the elderly daughters of the town's long-dead minister, take Babette in. As revealed in flashback, Philippa and Martina were once beautiful young women (played by Hanne Stensgaard and Vibeke Hastrup), who'd forsaken their chances at romance and fame, taking hollow refuge in religion. Babette holds a secret that may very well allow the older ladies to have a second chance at life. This is one of the great movies about food, but there are way too many surprises in Babette's Feast to allow us to reveal anything else at this point (except that Ingmar Bergman "regulars" Bibi Andersson and Jarl Kulle have significant cameo roles).. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Gabriel Axel
Written By: Gabriel Axel
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: Aug 28, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The acting is impeccable and the ambience suffused with delicate charm, but overall this doesn't aim at anything higher than Masterpiece Theatre or a Merchant-Ivory film.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Undoubtedly the warmest of all Scandinavian films about religion.
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media
A heartwarming feast for adults. May bore kids.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite the austerity of the characters and local, this quiet gentle Danish film, the surprise winner of the 1987 Best Foreign Oscar, won over audiences with its subject of food, and the preparartion of a feast to end all feasts-- by Stephane Audran!
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Scrumptious and beautifully crafted
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
Still the gold standard of food movies.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A literate and lovely-to-look-at film that compels us to meditate upon the needs of the flesh and the gifts of the spirit.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
A quiet celebration of the divine grace that meets us at every turn, and even redeems our ways not taken, our sacrifices and losses.
Dan Jardine, All Movie Guide
At turns philosophical and sensual, this hauntingly elegaic film resonates.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

This film really moved me when I first saw it many years ago. I just rewatched it and I think that I enjoyed it even more this time around. On the surface it is a very simple film, but the currents that run below the surface are very deep and complex. The film is beautiful, sad,… More
This film really moved me when I first saw it many years ago. I just rewatched it and I think that I enjoyed it even more this time around. On the surface it is a very simple film, but the currents that run below the surface are very deep and complex. The film is beautiful, sad, depressing, inspiring and heartwarming all at once. It is made all the more powerful by the wonderfull acting and beautifull cinematography. A true classic in every sense of the word.
Jeremy S

Set in a rugged fishing village in 1871 Denmark, shows the impact of a French housekeeper (Stephane Audran) on two pious sisters who carry on their late father's work as pastor of a dwindling religious flock. Danish director Gabriel Axel's understated but finely detailed… More
Set in a rugged fishing village in 1871 Denmark, shows the impact of a French housekeeper (Stephane Audran) on two pious sisters who carry on their late father's work as pastor of a dwindling religious flock. Danish director Gabriel Axel's understated but finely detailed work centers on the preparation and consumption of an exquisite Gallic meal, a sensuous labor of love which has a healing effect on the austere sect and the Frenchwoman who prepared it. This film has so much power and warmth.
Dan S

One of the longest hour and forty minute films I've ever sat through. The movie wasn't primarily my cup of tea (ha!), but I respect certain aspects of it's storytelling ability and it's skill for fleshing its chief characters out masterfully. It's an extremely… More
One of the longest hour and forty minute films I've ever sat through. The movie wasn't primarily my cup of tea (ha!), but I respect certain aspects of it's storytelling ability and it's skill for fleshing its chief characters out masterfully. It's an extremely slow, and often boring movie, but its one that does have some good elements to it. Just not enough for me to say it's totally worth one's time - only if you're really into food, then this might be the movie for you, might be.
Tom E

You can't watch this movie on an empty stomach -- When it first came out, in Minneapolis, You could actually by Babette's Feast for about $50!
meril l

Something very appealing in its simplicity. Religious abstinence vs very yummy food!
Anthony V

What being an artist is all about.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Stéphane Audran as Babette Hersant

            Jean-Philippe Lafont as Achille Papin

            Gudmar Wivesson as Lorenz Lowenhielm as a Young Man

            Jarl Kulle as Lorenz Lowenhielm as an old man

            Bibi Andersson as Swedish Court Lady-in-waiting

            Bodil Kjer as Old Philippa

            Birgitte Federspiel as Old Martina

            Ebbe Rode as Christopher

            Hanne Stensgaard as Young Philippa

            Bendt Rothe as Old Nielsen

            Vibeke Hastrup as Young Martina

            Lisbeth Movin as The Widow

            Pouel Kern as The Vicar

            Michel Bouquet as Narrator

            Ghita Nørby as Narrator

            Tina Kiberg as Philippa [singing]

            Axel Ströbye as Driver

            Ebba With as Lorens' Aunt

            Else Petersen as Solveig

            Asta Esper Andersen as Anna

            Finn Nielsen as Grocer

            Holger Perfort as Karlsen

            Erik Petersen as Young Erik

            Lars Lohmann as Fisherman

            Tine Miehe-Renard as Lorens' wife

            Thomas Antoni as Swedish Lieutenant

            Cay Kristiansen as Poul

            Bernadette Lafont
            
            Preben Lerdorff Rye as Kaptajnen

            Gert Bastian as Poor Man

            Viggo Bentzon as Fisherman in Rowboat

            Therese Hojgaard Christensen as Martha
See full cast