
Neither of these films, however, may provide the optimum experience for students, who might be put off by either the black-and-white photography of the Ferrer film or by the burden of reading the subtitles of the French language film. This “film as preview” method would present the characters, incidents and themes that students will encounter when they see CST’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac. The second is the French language version starring Gerard Depardieu, a film which also won the best foreign film Oscar in 1990.

The first is a Hollywood production starring Jose Ferrer in his 1950 Oscar-winning role. A teacher may choose to acquaint students with this highly accessible story of unrequited love and chivalrous service in the name of romance by screening one of the two best-known films that directly adapt the play. Notable Nonagenarians: ‘Good times and bum times, I’ve seen them all, and, my dear, I’m still here.Film versions of Cyrano’s story, based on Rostand’s play, go back as far as the silent era.
Jose ferrer cyrano de bergerac film movie#

However, Planer’s moody, even gloomy cinematography is distinguished, and he won the Golden Globe for Best Cinematography – Black and White. In a literal sense, too, it needs colour, as Franz Planer shoots in black and white. The sets are disappointingly minimalist, despite a decent sized budget of $400,000. Long before there was Gérard Depardieu in the 1990 French classic movie Cyrano de Bergerac, there was José Ferrer, who won Best Actor at the Oscars and Golden Globes as Edmond Rostand’s 17th-century big-nosed French poet, swordsman and romantic hero falling for his pretty cousin Roxane (Mala Powers) but chivalrously writing love letters to be read out by another, hunkier but tongue-tied would-be lover, Christian de Neuvillette (William Prince).ĭirector Michael Gordon’s 1950 Cyrano de Bergerac is a very welcome slice of culture from producer Stanley Kramer and United Artists, but the film needs more colour, character and sweep. Cyrano de Bergerac **** (1950, José Ferrer, Mala Powers, William Prince) – Classic Movie Review 7229
