L'histoire d'Adèle H. (1975)

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

Jan Dawson (English adaptation)
Jean Gruault (writer)

Release Date:

8 October 1975 (France)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Plot:

Halifax, 1863. A young woman, miss Lewly, comes to Halifax to search for Lt Pinson, whom she is madly in love with...

Plot Keywords:

Obsession | Unrequited Love | Bookstore | Nightmare | Halifax Canada

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Isabelle Adjani	...	Adèle Hugo / Adèle Lewry
Bruce Robinson	...	Lt Albert Pinson
Sylvia Marriott	...	Mrs. Saunders
Joseph Blatchley	...	The Bookseller
Ivry Gitlis	...	Hypnotist
Louise Bourdet	...	Victor Hugo's servant
Cecil De Sausmarez	...	Mr. Lenoir
Ruben Dorey	...	Mr. Saunders
Clive Gillingham	...	Keaton
Roger Martin	...	Doctor Murdock
M. White	...	Colonel White (as Mr White)
Madame Louise	...	Madame Baa
Jean-Pierre Leursse	...	Black penpusher

Also Known As:

The Story of Adele H (USA)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

France

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) (1991) | Australia:PG | South Korea:15 | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-16 | France:U | UK:12 | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Barbados

Company:

Les Films du Carrosse

Trivia:

The film is based in true facts.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The hypnotist has a plant in the audience pretending to be a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which was not set up until a decade after the story's setting of 1863

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Raquel Welch/Phoebe Snow, John Sebastian (#1.18)" (1976)

beautiful but tormented

I don't know how historically accurate this film is. However, it is a very powerful performance by Isabelle Adjani. In this movie she is simply one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.

She plays the tormented daughter of Victor Hugo. She follows her love to Newfoundland, as he has been transferred there by his country's military authorities. He has broken off the engagement. However she pursues him relentlessly.

Very few films can match this one in the portrayal of obsessive love. The scenery is very beautiful and the acting performances very convincing.

I've heard this has been deemed a kind of cult film, for a certain following. I would think it would have broader appeal. It speaks to the hearts of millions of people who have become obsessive in their love for another person who does not return the feeling. A kind of ultimate unrequited love.

I could watch this movie anytime, over and over.