Watch Marat / Sade

In 1967, the film and theatre world were shook by the arrival of "Marat/Sade" or "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade." Based on Peter Weiss' philosophical play of the same name, the film was directed by Peter Brook and was set in the Charenton Asylum, where the Marquis de Sade (Patrick Magee) stages a play about the murder of Marat (Clifford Rose). One of the most exciting things about the film is its ensemble cast. The two leads, Magee and Rose, give powerful performances as Sade and Marat respectively. Magee is wonderfully maniacal and dangerous in his portrayal of Sade, emitting a sardonic laugh that chills the spine. Rose's Marat is vulnerable yet forceful, an idealist who fights against oppression and strongly believes in the idea of revolution. However, it is perhaps Glenda Jackson's performance that steals the show. As Charlotte Corday, the woman who assassinates Marat, Jackson is absolutely stunning. She balances Corday's desperation and political fervor with her sanity, creating an incredibly complex and empathetic character. The film also does a fantastic job of exploring the themes of the original play. It delves deeply into issues of class struggle, oppression, and the nature of revolution. Sade and Marat's philosophical debates are just as potent on screen as they are on stage, and the interactions between the two characters are both humorous and terrifying. One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its use of music. The entire play is framed as a musical, and the music ranges from classical to contemporary rock. The result is a film that feels like a mix between a play, a musical, and a rock concert. Yet it all still comes together as a cohesive whole. Perhaps this is why the film won the Grand Prix at the Venice Film Festival in 1967. The film's cinematography is also a standout. Brook's direction is fluid and innovative, with the camera moving freely throughout the asylum to capture the intensity of the actors' performances. The use of long takes and close-ups creates a sense of claustrophobia and intimacy, which is only amplified by the film's confined setting of the asylum. Overall, "Marat/Sade" is a highly experimental film that successfully pushes the boundaries of film and theatre. It manages to capture the essence of the original play while adding its own unique elements. The performances are all incredible, the music is fantastic, and the cinematography is stunning. It is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting and challenging films of the 1960s.