The Return of Martin Guerre

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The Return of Martin Guerre

1983

2h 2m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

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16 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Years after his family thought he died, Martin Guerre (Gérard Depardieu) returns home from the Hundred Years' War. But is he really Martin Guerre? His wife, Bertrande de Rols (Nathalie Baye), has her doubts, as do some of her fellow villagers. Guerre's personality has completely changed; a man who was once angry and sullen is now likable and kind. As they become convinced they have an impostor on their hands, a local magistrate charges the man with Martin Guerre's murder.

Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Oct 1, 2019

It's so superbly acted and it's kind of about acting.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

Jul 6, 2019

4

The restoration is vivid, rendering the film even more striking than it was in 1982. The narrative still puts on on the edge of ones seat. Depardieu and Baye at their best.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 10, 2019

3.5/4

Although the answer to the is-he-or-isn't-he question is never really in doubt, this is nonetheless a fascinating film.

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Carol Flake

Vanity Fair

Sep 20, 2019

[A] sad, exquisite film.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Jul 9, 2019

3.5/5

A sobering account not only Medieval provincial life but the extremely limited role of women's agency.

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David Bax

Battleship Pretension

Jul 3, 2019

It's fitting that there are so many good performances here since, in the subtext, The Return of Martin Guerre is a film about acting.

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Johnny Z

Nov 18, 2021

Amazing cast led by Grard Depardieu and Nathalie Baye. Co-written by the legendary, Jean-Claude Carrire

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Stashy342

Nov 18, 2021

Vivid, gripping, colorful, well-costumed & lit, great soundtrack, too. Filmed partly on location where true story (which this film accurately depicts) unfolded. Depardieu was compelling.

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Khaled I

@RT90517866 Jul 22, 2026

timeless, outstanding. every aspect.

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Alec B

@Alec97 Sep 23, 2024

More of a character study than a courtrooms drama (although those scenes are compelling) which allows for deeper questions to be asked about how people choose their realities

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Apr 8, 2021

Certainly admirable how deliberately the sense of justice and morals of a long bygone era are woven throughout this narrative. The righteous, god-fearing mentality of these characters is inescapable, forcing one to consider how many "wrongs" were righted by such a dogmatic group in history.

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dave d

@RT34924333 Jul 2, 2020

Gérard Depardieu is the titular character.. or is he? It's a fine French mystery based on a true story and it flows. This is is well-acted, well-structured, and well-designed picture. It's sturdy, and quick and one for the archives! Final Score: 7.3/10

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Daniel Vigne

Director

Gérard Depardieu

Arnaud de Tihl

Nathalie Baye

Bertrande de Rols

Roger Planchon

Jean de Coras

André Chaumeau

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Maurice Barrier

Uncle Pierre Guerre

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The Return of Martin Guerre: Re-Release Trailer

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Synopsis

Years after his family thought he died, Martin Guerre (Gérard Depardieu) returns home from the Hundred Years' War. But is he really Martin Guerre? His wife, Bertrande de Rols (Nathalie Baye), has her doubts, as do some of her fellow villagers. Guerre's personality has completely changed; a man who was once angry and sullen is now likable and kind. As they become convinced they have an impostor on their hands, a local magistrate charges the man with Martin Guerre's murder.

Director: Daniel Vigne
Producer: Marcel Dassault, Daniel Vigne
Screenwriter: Daniel Vigne
Distributor: European International
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 1983, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 5, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 22, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.2K
Runtime: 2h 2m

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