The film is biographical, telling the story of the life and artistic struggles of the French composer Hector Berlioz. Berlioz is shown as a recalcitrant medical student in an anatomy class dreaming of becoming a composer; at a demonstration during a performance at the Paris Opéra conducted by Habeneck; at supper with other young artists (Hugo, Janin, Dumas, Mérimée, Delacroix); and chasing after his future wife Harriet Smithson, after a performance of Hamlet. Also depicted are his life in a garret, while suffering from an illness due to an abscess in the throat; a visit from his mother who curses him; and the composition of the Symphonie fantastique. The film then shows his marital breakdown, the premiere of his opera Benvenuto Cellini, his travels throughout Europe, his second marriage to Marie Recio (called "Marie Martin" in the film), public acceptance in old age and reconciliation with his son.
Directed by Christian-Jaque
Your score–
Not scoredImages
Cast
Jean-Louis Barrault
Hector Berlioz
Renée Saint-Cyr
Marie Martin
Lise Delamare
Harriet Smithson
Jules Berry
Schlesinger
Bernard Blier
Antoine Charbonnel
Gilbert Gil
Louis Berlioz
Julien Bertheau
Victor Hugo (uncredited)
Catherine Fonteney
Madame Berlioz mother (uncredited)
Louis Seigner
Habeneck (uncredited)
Noël Roquevert
Gendarme (uncredited)
Roland Armontel
Eugène Delacroix (uncredited)
Rivers Cadet
Consumer (uncredited)
Fabienne Clery
(uncredited)
Jacques Cossin
(uncredited)
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