Is Terror! Robespierre and the French Revolution Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2009)
In 1794, French revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre produced the world's first defense of "state terror" - claiming that the road to virtue lay through political violence. This fi...
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Documentary, History cinema, then Terror! Robespierre and the French Revolution offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2009 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
📖 The Core Premise
Terror! Robespierre and the French Revolution returns to the screen in 2009, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary, History genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In 1794, French revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre produced the world's first defense of "state terror" - claiming that the road to virtue lay through political violence. This film combines drama, archive and documentary interviews to examine Robespierre's year in charge of the Committee Of Public Safety - the powerful state machine at the heart of Revolutionary France. Contesting Robespierre's legacy is Slavoj Zizek, who argues that terror in the cause of virtue is justifiable, and Simon Schama, who believes the road from Robespierre ran straight to the gulag and the 20th-century concentration camp. The drama, based on original sources, follows the life-and-death politics of the Committee during "Year Two" of the new Republic."
🎬 Performance & Direction
A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Jan Pearson does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.
🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)
Is Terror! Robespierre and the French Revolution worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary, History films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.
🏆 Final Verdict
Ultimately, Terror! Robespierre and the French Revolution is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities.
With a runtime of N/A minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.
Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 0.0 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.