Danton movie discussion questions

1.      What do you make of the opening scene when Eleanore Duplay is teaching her brother to recite the keystone document of the Revolution, “The Rights of Man and Citizen”?

2.       In the central scene of the film, Danton and Robespierre meet in a hotel.  What do you think is the point of showing other guests who are then hounded out?

3.       What is the point of having Madame Desmoulins go everywhere with her infant in arms?  The Desmoulins are portrayed as being rather well off and probably had a servant or two to look after the baby.

4.       What does Robespierre’s speech at the Convention intend to show?

5.       What does the musical score add to the film?

6.       What do you think is the meaning of the final scene with Robespierre in bed?

7.       Some critiques claim that historical films reveal more about the period in which they were made than about the period they portray.  To what extent do you think this is true of Danton?

8.       However flawed it may be, what does Danton contribute to your understanding of the French Revolution?