This big budget met mixed critical reception when it was released ;today it's almost forgotten and it is really a pity:it's the kind of "historical" movie we are so much in need today.

Although would be realistic, "Justinien" is pure melodrama ,its ending leaving no doubt about it;it's got something of the swashbucklers of the late fifties /early sixties ,with Jean Marais,directed by André Hunebelle ;the aristocrats ,the high and the mighty are filmed a la Fellini.Justinien is also a close relative of such fiction characters as Jacquou Le Croquant or the two orphans ("orphans in the storm")or even real ones such as Kaspar Hauser or Victor the wild child .

"Justinien" takes place at the end of the reign of the Sun King ,and it depicts a hard time for the illegitimate (check the title): the convent where the monks are ruthless or the dungeon crawling with rats will make your hair stand on end (the best performance comes from Ticky Hodalgo as a smart jailer).And so will the atrocious torture of the wheel.Justinien becomes a reluctant hangman and ,on that occasion,the writers tell us about the situation of the executioner ,an outcast with privileges 

It is an overlong sprawling work ,but in the French nineties,it is hard to find an equivalent .An eventful ,picaresque ,often cruel tale ,in which some kind of Voltaire's Candide makes his way through the eighteenth century.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

Young Justinien, aka Cyrano-Nose-The-Less, born in 1683, leaves his adoptive parents to join a monastery, only to live a series of misadventures through which he will learn the secrets of his birth.

Pierre-Olivier Mornas in Justinien Trouvé, ou le bâtard de Dieu (1993)

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Justinien Trouvé, ou le bâtard de Dieu

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