La Symphonie fantastique (1942)

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.
Christian-Jaque
Jean-Louis Barrault, Renée Saint-Cyr, Lise Delamare, Jules Berry, Bernard Blier, Gilbert Gil, Julien Bertheau, Catherine Fonteney, Louis Seigner, Noël Roquevert, Roland Armontel, Rivers Cadet, Fabienne Clery, Jacques Cossin, Lucien Coëdel, Jean Darcante, Joé Davray, Mona Dol, Maurice Dorléac, Jacques Dynam, René Fluet, Georges Gosset, Georges Lafon, Pierre Magnier, Georges Mauloy, Marcelle Monthil, Martial Rèbe, Louis Salou, Maurice Schutz, Roger Vincent, Michel Vitold, Georges Vitray, Eugène Yvernès
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