Le Retour de Martin Guerre (The Return of Martin Guerre) (1982)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(2,725 ratings)

The Return of Martin Guerre is set in France during the Hundred Years' War. Imagining herself a widow, Nathalie Baye is astonished when her husband Gerard Depardieu returns after nine years. He looks like her husband and sounds like her husband, and certainly has a working knowledge of the couple's… More The Return of Martin Guerre is set in France during the Hundred Years' War. Imagining herself a widow, Nathalie Baye is astonished when her husband Gerard Depardieu returns after nine years. He looks like her husband and sounds like her husband, and certainly has a working knowledge of the couple's prior relationship. Still, neither Baye nor her neighbors can shake the notion that Depardieu is an imposter--especially since he's a much nicer and more responsible person than the man who marched off to war so long ago. Matters come to a head when the local magistrate sentences Depardieu to hang for his own murder. Return of Martin Guerre was the principal source for an American film, Sommersby (1993). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Daniel Vigne
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: May 14, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Jan 15, 2002
Studio: Wellspring Media Inc.

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Compelling romantic mystery drama, well acted by Gerard Depardieu and Natalie Baye; stay away from the American remake, Sommersby
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
A brilliant, engaging love story with magnificent performances
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Fascinating tale; inspiration for "Sommersby"
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
A marvellous and haunting work.