La Symphonie fantastique

The story

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.

Cast

J Jean-Louis BarraultHector Berlioz R Renée Saint-CyrMarie Martin L Lise DelamareHarriet Smithson J Jules BerrySchlesinger B Bernard BlierAntoine Charbonnel G Gilbert GilLouis Berlioz J Julien BertheauVictor Hugo (uncredited) C Catherine FonteneyMadame Berlioz mother (uncredited) L Louis SeignerHabeneck (uncredited) N Noël RoquevertGendarme (uncredited) R Roland ArmontelEugène Delacroix (uncredited) R Rivers CadetConsumer (uncredited)

See more cast

F Fabienne Clery(uncredited) J Jacques Cossin(uncredited) L Lucien CoëdelTypographer (uncredited) J Jean DarcanteProsper Mérimée (uncredited) J Joé DavrayStudent (uncredited) M Mona DolHousekeeper (uncredited) M Maurice DorléacConsumer (uncredited) J Jacques Dynam(uncredited) R René FluetJules Janin (uncredited) G Georges GossetAlexandre Dumas (uncredited) G Georges LafonRussian Chamberlain (uncredited) P Pierre MagnierProfessor (uncredited) G Georges MauloyDean of the Academies (uncredited) M Marcelle MonthilDresser (uncredited M Martial RèbeCoachman (uncredited) L Louis SalouDirector of the Opéra (uncredited) M Maurice SchutzNiccolò Paganini (uncredited) R Roger Vincent(uncredited) M Michel VitoldOrchestra conductor (uncredited) G Georges VitrayShip's commander (uncredited) E Eugène Yvernès(uncredited)