In a message dated 1/8/01 12:02:20 AM GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< There was a marvellous film about a man who returns from the Civil War
(USA)
to his aristocratic wife and then with her, rejuvenates the failing fortunes
of the estate, including the ordinary working people. Poignant footage
displays their struggle to save the harvest etc.
He is then exposed as an impostor and not her husband at all. A court case
ensues and for some reson I can't remember, he is executed.
The story is clearly an analogue of the Sacrificial God who is chosen by the
Goddess to revive her and the Land (in the film the wife knows he is not her
returned husband but chooses to let him stay as if he were). His death is
clearly marked as the sacrifice of a blameless male for the good of the
community.
Sorry I can't remember the name. I'm sure someone else will >>
Dear Shan
This was Sommersby (1993) with Richard Gere and Jodi Foster. The story based
on 'The Return of Martin Guerre', which occurred in southern France. The faux
Martin was tried in 1561, the real one having turned up and the faux Martin
(Arnaud du Tihl) was executed - hung and then burned. A film 'Le Retour de
Martin Guerre' was made (in '83 as far as I remember) and Gerard Depardieu
played 'faux Martin'. There is an interesting feminist book 'The Return of
Martin Guerre' by Natalie Zemon Davis a history professor at Princeton. She
makes Bertrande de Rols, Martin Guerre's wife, a key protaginist in the
story, much of the ire of some male academics who preferred to see her as a
passive victim. Synchronistically, Chris and I were watching Sommersby on
video last night, which is why all this was fresh in my mind.
I was watching Sommersby from the Martin Guerre perspective, so interpreting
is as a sacrificed god myth had not occurred to me - but the interpretation
fits quite well. Probably not what the screenwriters intended but these
archetypal themes have a habit of creeping unconsciously into people's
writing.
Best Wishes for 2001
Vivianne Crowley
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