Manon

"Jules Massenet’s Manon at the Berlin Staatsoper"

2007 3h 20m FR

🤯

8.5

MASTERPIECE

★8.5TMDB · 2

Music

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Massenet's opera centres on its charming but contrary heroine, the vivacious young Manon who longs for luxury and excitement. We first encounter her en route to a convent, where her family are sending her to be educated. Along the way, she falls in love with the young student Des Grieux, and, impetuously, runs off with him. She soon leaves him, however, to become the mistress of a rich nobleman. Thus begins her descent into criminality and depravity, all too soon dragging the besotted Des Grieux with her, until she is imprisoned. Despite its tragic story, the opera is full of French charm and vitality – typified by the ambiguous Manon herself. Her plight is touching because of the subtle play of innocence and calculation in her character. The score contains many sparkling arias and ensembles, moving rapidly from moods of exuberance to tenderness, with perfect dramatic timing. Recorded live at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, April/May 2007.

“Jules Massenet’s Manon at the Berlin Staatsoper”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Cast

Anna Netrebko
Manon Lescaut
Rolando Villazón
Des Grieux
Alfredo Daza
Lescaut
Christof Fischesser
Le Comte Des Grieux
Remy Corazza
Guillot de Morfontaine
Artu Kataja
Bretigny
Hanan Alattar
Pousette
Silvia De La Muela
Rosette

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Vincent Paterson
Writers: Henri Meilhac, Philippe Gille
Languages: French
Countries: Germany

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

At 200 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 19 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Jules Massenet. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Gernot Arendt shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón and Alfredo Daza carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Jules Massenet’s Manon at the Berlin Staatsoper".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1431725 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Vincent Paterson directs. Jules Massenet scores. Gernot Arendt cuts. A long sit — settle in. Produced in Germany. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1At 200 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.
2Released 19 years ago.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Original score by Jules Massenet. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Gernot Arendt shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón and Alfredo Daza carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Jules Massenet’s Manon at the Berlin Staatsoper".
8IMDB entry: tt1431725 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.