Plot Summary for Que la fête commence... (1974) France, 1719. Louis 14th died four years ago, Philippe d'Orleans is the regent. He is a liberal and a libertine. His right-hand man, Dubois, an atheistic and cupid priest, as libertine as Philippe, tries to take advantage of a little rebellion lead by a Breton squire (Pontallec) and of the famine to become archbishop... Description of the life of the court in this period of transition where the French Revolution smoulders. Summary written by Yepok viewer's comments: - Correct historical account This majestic movie reveals everything of that contrasting period after the reign of the "Roi Soleil". France was empty-blooded by the wars and de best thing the Régent of that moment could was to make peace with England. A Breton upraising supported by Spain was the worst case scenario. L'abbé Dubois is eager to become archbishop and everything he does, even the national politics is supported by his dream. We see the speculations about Missisipi and the first bank notes by the state. The Régent, Philippe Noiret, is a person who enjoys life and tries to avoid all problems. Against this, l'abbé Dubois and the nephew of the Régent seem to be the human beasts fueled by their ambition. The church is all powerful and the High Nobility without scruples. The state tries to populate la Louisiane by embarking prostitutes. The Régent seem to be the only good person of his time. This movie is a joy to watch again because of the sharp dialogue and the historical details. - Very accurate historical movie It is unbelievable how the director Tavernier could recapture the mentality of this beginning of the 18th century which would lead to the French revolution. The wars of Louis XIV had ruined the country and the best thing the regent (an excellent Philippe Noiret but all the actors are excellent) could do was to avoid war, so they spend their time with feasts, manipulation, fraud and speculation. The mentality of the Noble of France is well described. There is (among others) an interesting dialogue between the regent and his nephew about the way the comte de Horn should be executed: it had never happened before (in this way: rouer) in France, and he only killed a speculator!. All those pretty details and the funny but accurate dialogues make of -this movie an unique historical document and at the same time it is a pleasure to see the movie again and again. - One of the greatest historical movie. This is one of my all time favorite movie and probably the best historical movie ever. One of the few movies featuring 3 of the best french actors (in leading roles): Philippe Noiret, Jean Richefort and Jean-Pierre Marielle. This movie is about how cynical France was ruled after the death of Louis XIV and while the new (Louis XV) was just a child. Don't expect a spectacular movie with great action and bloody violence (like Gladiator or Brave Heart). The pleasure with this movie is somewhere else: dialogs (brilliant), description of cynicism of the nobility and the actors performances (Jean Rochefort, playing L'Abbé Dubois, stoled the show). Full Cast and Crew for Que la fête commence... (1974) Directed by Bertrand Tavernier Writing credits (in alphabetical order) Jean Aurenche Bertrand Tavernier Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Philippe Noiret .... Philippe d'Orléans, le Régent Jean Rochefort .... L'abbé Dubois Jean-Pierre Marielle .... Le marquis de Pontcallec Christine Pascal .... Emilie Alfred Adam .... Villeroi Jean-Roger Caussimon .... Le cardinal Gérard Desarthe .... Le duc de Bourbon/Duke of Bourbon Michel Beaune .... Le capitaine La Griollais Monique Chaumette .... La gouvernante de Pontcallec François Dyrek .... Montlouis Jean-Paul Farré .... Le père Burdo Nicole Garcia .... La Fillon Raymond Girard .... Chirac Jacques Hilling .... L'abbé Gratellard Bernard La Jarrige .... Amaury de Lambilly Monique Lejeune .... Madame de Sabran Georges Riquier .... Brunet d'Ivry Brigitte Roüan .... La prostituée Andrée Tainsy .... La religieuse Marina Vlady .... Madame de Parabère Jean Amos .... L'officier de police Roland Amstutz .... Le cocher du Régent Gilbert Bahon .... Le cocher du fiacre Bruno Balp .... Le valet Lebanc Michel Berto .... L'abbé de Louis XV Richard Bigotini .... Le voisin de l'auberge Michel Blanc .... Le valet de chambre de Louis XV Stéphane Bouy .... Nocé Liza Braconnier .... La servante de Louis XV Agnès Château .... La paysanne de l'accident Philippe Chauveau .... Le témoin de l'auberge Christian Clavier .... Le valet de l'auberge/Pickpocket Yvon Cousquer Daniel Duval .... Le mirebalai Yves Elliot .... Un paysan breton Pierre Forget .... Le jésuite 'iroquois' Claude Furlan .... L'ouvrier de l'auberge Guy Gerbaud .... Le moine de la prison de Nantes Gilles Guillot .... Le diacre de l'hospice Maurice Jacquemont .... Le prêtre qui initie Dubois Yvon Lec .... Le curé de la procession Jacques Lelut .... Le premier bandoulier Jean Le Mouël Bernadette Le Saché .... Hélène de Lambilly Thierry Lhermitte .... le comte de Horn/Count of Horn Eric Lorvoire .... Un complice de Horn Bertrand Migeat .... Le second bandoulier Pierre Moncorbier .... L'abbé Fleury René Morard .... Le colporteur Jean-Jacques Moreau .... Un paysan Jean-Luc Moreau Max Morel Jacqueline Parent .... Séverine, la filleule du Régent Gerard Pichon .... Le boulanger Bernard Pierrot .... Le chef musicien Jean-Paul Poirier .... Le dormeur Jacky Pratoussy .... Un laquais (as Jacques Pratoussi) Colette Proust .... La voyante Patrick Raynal .... Un laquais Blanche Rayne .... La femme de Pontcallec Jean Rougerie .... Talhouet Marie-Jo Simenon .... La novice Anthony Stuart .... L'ambassadeur Stairs Jean Turlier .... Le curé de l'hospice François Valorbe .... De Rochefort Jacques Van Dooren .... Le suisse au nez d'argent Hélène Vincent .... Madame de Saint-Simon rest of cast listed alphabetically Michael Powell .... Law (scenes deleted) Marcel Dalio .... Le noble suffocant au repas (uncredited) Sophie Jany .... La petite fille, future prostituée (uncredited) Gérard Jugnot .... Footman (uncredited) Also Known As: Let Joy Reign Supreme (1974) (USA) Runtime: 114 min Country: France Language: French Color: Color (Eastmancolor) Sound Mix: Mono
