The Widow of St. Pierre

I was chatting with Poetikat about how much we both adore the film
The Widow of St. Pierre, a French film set in 1840's New Foundland.
Starring the fabulous Juliette Binoche, who seems to be the star of the
week over here at the Manor, and the oh, so handsome French actor,
Daniel Auteuil. This true story is about a captain of the guard and his
wife, who adopt as their protege a sweet and gentle man, who has
committed a meaningless murder. As they wait for the arrival of the
guillotine from France, the captain's wild and unconditional love for
his wife results in his own destruction. The gentle giant of a prisoner
is expertly portrayed by the talented Yugoslavian director, Emir
Kusturica. The excellent screenplay, costumes and breathtaking
scenes of the islands and sea are an added bonus to celebrated
filmmaker Patrice Leconte's wonderful ability to allow the stellar
talent of these veteran actors to carry the film. WT fondly calls me
his "an iron fist in a velvet glove", but I think the phrase is perfect
to describe Juliette Binoche in this role. She is the perfect melding
of softness and strength, as the benevolent wife of the captain.
There is also a poignant irony in this film, in the fact that the
townspeople dub the guillotine the widow. This exquisite, slow
moving, period piece is filmed in French with English subtitles,
which in my opinion, adds to the authentic history and romance.
It's perfect, absolutely perfect; a story of redemption, forgiveness
and true love.

And a little interesting side note, the ship that brought the guillotine
was played by the Gazela Primeiro, a Portuguese fishing vessel,
which now lives at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. I was fortunate
enough to see it in May while visiting my daughter.

Gazela Primeiro, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia

photo by Willow