The Private Life of Marie Antoinette (2008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Private Life of Marie Antoinette is the English title of a French docudrama which premiered in 2008. 

 

It is an episode of the French series Secrets of History (Secrets d'Histoire). 

 

The title explains the topic.

 

Here is some basic information about this film:

 

** French title: Marie Antoinette Intime

** Director: Jean-Christophe de Revière

** Hosted and presented by Stephane Bern

** Language: French

** Subtitles: English

** Available on Tubi TV

** Run time: 1 hour 51 minutes

 

The docudrama is composed of two elements:

 

(1) A traditional documentary film where modern experts (knowns as talking heads) appear from time to time

 

(2) A drama in which historical scenes are reconstructed by modern actors.

 

The historical scenes are filmed on location: inside or outside the Palace of Versailles. The cinematography is excellent.

 

This film covers the life of Marie Antoinette in great detail. As the title says, the focus is on her private life, and not on her public appearances.

 

This means the focus is not so much on the main Palace of Versailles. It is more on the park behind the palace, on the small buildings in the park: the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, as well as the Queen’s Hamlet located at the far end of the park.

 

If you are interested in the modern history of France, in particular the events leading up to the French Revolution of 1789, this docudrama is a good introduction. I think it deserves a rating of four stars (80 percent).

 

RELEVANT RESOURCES

 

# 1. Docudramas (in French)

 

** The Rise and fall of Versailles (2008)

This film is divided into three parts:

Episode 1 = Louis XIV = 59 minutes

Episode 2 = Louis XV = 59 minutes

Episode 3 = Louis XVI = 49 minutes

 

** Portraits: Louis XIV (2012) (2014)

French title: Louis XIV: Les Passions du Roi Soleil

Run time: 1 hour 56 minutes

 

** 1715: The Sun King Is Dead (2015)

French title: La Mort de Louis XIV

Run time: 54 manutes

 

** Marie Antoinette: The Trial of a Queen (2018)

French title: Marie Antoinette: Ils ont jugé la reine

This film is divided into two parts:

Episode 1 = The Trial of a Queen

Run time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Episode 2 = The Last Days of Marie Antoinette

Run time: 52 minutes

 

** Les Favoris de Marie Antoinette (2020)

An episode of the series Secrets d'Histoire

Hosted and presented by Stephane Bern

Run time: 112 minutes

 

# 2. Books (in English and French)

 

** Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France by Evelyne Lever (2001) (2006)

 

** Juger la reine by Emmanuel de Waresquiel (2016) (2018)

 

# 3. A historical and biographical drama

 

Marie Antoinette (2006) – directed by American filmmaker Sofia Coppola – the title role is played by American actress Kirsten Dunst.

 

All characters speak English! This historical drama should not be confused with the French docudrama which premiered in 2008.

 

# 4. A website

 

Women of the French Revolution: A Resource Guide

(Library of Congress) (Research Guides) 

# 5. A documentary film in English

Marie Antoinette: The Doomed Queen

Hosted and presented by Lucy Worsley

Run time: 54 minutes

(2020)

 

*****