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Catherine (1986 TV series)

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Catherine
Genrehistoric series
Based onCatherine, il suffit d'un amour
by Juliette Benzoni
Screenplay byJuliette Benzoni & Jean Chatenet
Directed byMarion Sarraut
StarringClaudine Ancelot
Pierre-Marie Escourrou
Pascale Petit (actrice)
Philippe Clay
Jean-François Poron
Gérard Chambre
Amidou
Geneviève Casile
Dora Doll
Corinne Touzet
Music byRobert Viger
Country of originFrance
Original languageFrench
No. of episodes60
Production
ProducerHenri Spade Catherine Jurquet production assistant
Running time26 minutes
Original release
NetworkAntenne 2
Release19 March 1986

Catherine, il suffit d'un amour was a French television series produced by Antenne 2 in 1986.

It was based on the Catherine Series [1] written by best-selling French author Juliette Benzoni (30 October 1920 – 7 February 2017). The television series Catherine, il suffit d'un amour [2] was only televised in France 1986. Yet at the end of the Nineties Catherine was also broadcast in Poland to great success. The adaptation stayed more or less true to the original text of Juliette Benzoni's story about Catherine and her adventures in France during the 15th century. A few changes were inevitable and could not be avoided. The screenplay was written by the author Juliette Benzoni and Jean Chatenet, who was a writer, and producer for French radio and television. The TV-series was directed by Marion Sarraut, who had already successfully directed another of Juliette Benzoni's best-selling Novel series Marianne with Corinne Touzet in the leading role.

The Catherine Story

The story takes action at the time of the Hundred Year War in France during the rule of Charles VII. It is also the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War. There is the ambitious John the Fearless Duke of Burgundy against the supporters of the future King Charles VII the Armagnacs, an embittered compat without mercy. In these troublesome times during the Parisian riots in Paris 1413 Catherine Legoix, daughter of a goldsmith living on the Pont-au-Change with her family, tries in vain to save a young Knight, the sixteen year old Michel de Montsalvy (in the service of the Armagnacs) condemned to be hanged, for calling Duke John the Fearless a traitor and spitting into his face.

Her father is murdered by his own cousin, the wealthy butcher Thomas Legoix, when the fugitve Michel de Montsalvy is found hidden in his cellar by Catherine and her childhood friend Landry. Thirteen year old Catherine and her mother (who is orginally a Burgundian) must flee to Dijon to the home of her uncle Mathieu Gautherin, a merchant and winegrower and brother of her mother Jacquette Legoix. They are accompanied by Sara, called Sara the Black, a young beautiful gypsy who had hidden the fugitives in the cour des miracles house of the beggar Barnaby of the Cockleshell. The attempt to save Michel de Montsalvy changes her life forever. Years later growing up to be a rare beauty, with golden hair and violet eyes, fate has a surprise in store for her. On her way back from Bruges, returning to Dijon with her uncle Maître Mathieu, Catherine meets on a crossroad, a heavily wounded Knight - the noble and valiant Arnaud de Montsalvy, one of the captain's of Joan of Arc - Michel de Montsalvys younger brother.

Catherine and Arnaud fall in love at first sight, but when the impulsive Arnaud finds out that Catherine is related to those Legoix's who butchered his older brother in 1413, Arnaud de Montsalvy tells her that he only does not kill her because she is a woman. Her outstanding beauty attracts the attention of Duke Philip of Burgundy who desires the beautiful maiden with the magnificent golden hair. He orders his Treasurer the rich Garin de Brazey to marry Catherine. The purpose of this marriage is conniving, only so can the Duke receive the low-born Catherine, now Catherine de Brazey at his court. When Catherine believes that Arnaud de Montsalvy will marry a young damsel Isabelle de Sévérac, she becomes the beloved mistress of the powerful Duke. He bestows her with many titles (Countess of Brazey), castle's, jewellery, priceless items, servants, his most beloved favourite at his court in Dijon and Bruges. The call her "The most beautiful lady of the West". She meets such historic characters as Jan van Eyck, a Flemish painter, Philip of Burgundy, Jean Lefèvre de Saint-Rémy [3], Gilles de Rais, Jacques Coeur, Yolande d'Aragon to mention a few of the important characters in Catherine's life. However when their mutual son Philippe de Brazey dies at the age of four, she shortly afterwards finds out that Arnaud de Montsalvy never married. Catherine had never been able to forget her hopeless passion for the proud Knight. She decides to travel to the beleaguered city of Orléans which Arnaud and the other captains of Joan of Arc are defending against the English. During her stay in Orléans she meets Joan of Arc who saves her life, after Catherine had been condemned to death for treason and spying for the enemy...

The road to happiness for the heroine is arduous. She must undergo many adventures - men fall desperately in love with her - her life is in danger on many occasions - she is hunted down like a criminal - condemned to die not just once - until she finally becomes the beloved wife of Arnaud de Montsalvy, Lord of the Châtaignerie in Auvergne and Captain in the service of King Charles VII.

Deviations from the novels

In the Novels Catherine has an older sister called Loyse, whose only wish was to become a nun. During the Cabochien revolt she is kidnapped and raped by their leader Simon Caboche. With the help of Barnaby she can be freed and she accompanies her mother and Catherine also to the home of their uncle in Dijon. She will become the Abess Agnès of Sainte-Radegonde of the Benectine convent of Tart.

In the Novels Arnaud de Montsalvy had black eyes and black hair - in the television series he is blond and has blue eyes. When he is sent to the Valley of the Lepers, Catherine will meet him eight months later and not in a few years.

In the first Novel "One Love is Enough" [4] , the beggar Barnaby the Cockleshell escapes also with Catherine to Dijon. He will die under torture, for attempting to kill Garin de Brazey. In the television series he does not die because of that deed. The actor Phlippe Clay takes over the part of some of the character from the seven Novels. It is not Barnaby who saves Catherine and Arnaud from drowning in the Loire, but "Jean Son" from Rouen. In the Novel it is Landry Pigasse who is in the service of the Duke of Burgundy and will becomes a monk because of events which took place in the second book - stuff which is left out in the television series. Barnaby/Landry from the television series dies years later coming to Catherine's her help when she is in deadly danger.

In the Novels her uncle Mathieu Gautherin does not marry Amandine la Verne, she becomes his mistress and tries to kill him with the help of her husband Colin le Long who is not mentioned in the television series.

In the third Novel "Belle Catherine" the author introduces the Norman "Gauthier Strongitharm", a woodcutter. Catherine saves him from being hanged by La Hire and he swears that he will faithfully serve her from now on. It is Gauthier who goes ahead in search of Arnaud de Montsalvy in the fourth novel "Catherine and Arnaud". Gauthier does not appear in the television series, but we are introduced to another Gauthier, a young student from Paris "Gauthier de Chazay". This character does only appear later in the books six and seven. Yet in the TV-series Gauthier de Chazay plays the part of Catherine's squire. He will be the one who gets caught and wounded when Catherine (Catherine and a time for love) is on her journey to find Arnaud in Granada, prisoner of Princess Zobeïda. The first Gauthier will die on their journey back from Granada - whereas the younger Gauthier returns with Catherine and Arnaud to France. She meets him again in Paris where he will serve her as a squire together with Béranger de Roquemaurel - who is Catherine de Montsalvy's page after her return from Granada.

In the Novels the squire Fortunat does not return to Montsalvy after he met Catherine at Roncesvaux. He believes she had betrayed his Lord Arnaud and hates her. In the series he returns into the service of the Montsalvy's and is faithful to the Lady of Montsalvy's during the absent of their Lord.

In the Novels the young woman Margot is only mentioned as a friend of Gauthier de Chazay. In the television series Catherine meets Margot the first time at Roncesvaux. Then in the Harem of Caliph Muhammad VIII - and years later again in Paris while Catherine is trying to save her husband from prison.

Production

The production was a co-production between Antenne 2 (succeeded by France 2) and SFP. The producer of the series was Henri Spade an important television personality in France, going back to the Fifties when television was still young. That such an important pioneer of French television decided to produce Juliette Benzoni's Novels speaks for itself. The success of the Marianne series which aired in 1983 justified the new project “Catherine, il suffit d'un amour”. As a special bonus popular French actors were engaged to play minor, but important roles in Catherine. The cast was joined by Geneviève Casile of the Comédie-Française, Jean-François Poron, Philippe Clay and Pascale Petit (actrice) , Dora Doll to mention a few of the French elite at that time.

Filming

The shooting of the "Catherine" TV series [5] lasted 15 months. Two years of preparation by director Marion Sarraut - 200 hundred actors - fifteen hundred costumes - 45 technicians - 130 horses. The horses were trained by stuntman Marion Luraschi [6], a well-known horse trainer and stuntman for French and international Cinema. The indoors scenes took place at the Buttes-Chaumont SFP studios in Paris. For the outdoors, the troupe travelled to castle's, fortresses, churches and monastery. They went to the heights of The Pyreness to the oldest quarters of the city at Castelnou which served actually as Montsalvy, the home of Catherine and Arnaud de Montsalvy . Some places were Burgundy, Chaumont, Blois, the Auvergne, Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Villefranche-de-Conflent, Le prieuré de Marcevol, The castle of the Kings of Majorca in Perpignan who resemble in the TV Series the Alhambra in Granada.

Conception and development

In the Press review 1983 for “Marianne, une étoile pour Napoléon” Benzoni writes "Thanks go to Marion Sarraut, director after my heart... provided with a heart, sensibility and talent, a great artistic sense and an astonishingly safe flair to choose interpreters”. In the weekly magazine Tele star, [7] dating from 15 March 1986 Juliette Benzoni said: “I do not want another director as Marion”. Marion Sarraut and Juliette Benzoni were the dream-team, both women had a great admiration for each other. Benzoni wrote together with Jean Chatenet the screenplay and the television series became a huge success. Confidently she agreed in 1985 to the filming of Catherine, il suffit d'un amour.

Marion Sarraut [8] had at least seen a hundred actresses in her office, when Claudine Ancelot entered. She did not hesitate one moment to give the role to her. The director had chosen all the actors and actresses as was her wont. For the male leading role, Marion Sarraut said in an article 1985 [9] that Pierre-Marie Escourrou did not correspond at first to the idea of the personality she had in mind - however after his audition she knew that she had found the perfect Arnaud de Montsalvy.

On 19 March 1986, “Catherine, il suffit d'un amour” was proclaimed “the largest soap opera ever created in France”. Only drop of bitterness, it was not broadcast on prime time - but from 13:30 - 14:00 each afternoon during the week. Regardless of the ill-chosen broadcasting time, the television series was a huge success. Television viewers throughout the country of France were more than satisfied how acclaimed director Marion Sarraut had adapted their Catherine. The yet unknown young actress Claudine Ancelot [10] was the perfect Catherine de Montsalvy. She was predestinated to play Catherine - at fifteen she had read the books in the French Newspaper France-Soir where the story of Catherine was first published as a Cliffhanger.

Cast

Main characters

Supporting characters

Who is Who

Catherine Legoix - daughter of goldsmith Gaucher and Jacquette Legoix. Tried to save Michel de Montsalvy, who was killed by her uncle. Met his brother Arnaud and fell in love with him forever. Married Garin de Brazey and was "persuaded" by Duke Philippe, to become his mistress. Beloved Lady of Montsalvy by her vassals. Was loved by many men, but her heart and love belonged only to one man - Arnaud de Montsalvy, whose wife she became.

Arnaud de Montsalvy - son of Isabelle de Montsalvy and Amaury de Montsalvy. Father died when he was a small child. Captain in the service of King Charles VII. Fell in love with Catherine at first sight, but refused to admit it, because he had sworn to kill every Legoix, who had killed his older brother Michel. Joyfully accepted the whole truth, screamed at him by Bishop Cauchon in Rouen that Catherine actually tried to save his brother. Though he loved Catherine with all his heart his fierce character, easily aroused made her suffer many times. When he was on the verge of dying, truly understood what a loving heart was capable of doing. Catherine had won his heart for all eternity.

Michel de Montsalvy - son of Isabelle de Montsalvy and Amaury de Montsalvy, Arnaud's older brother. Was in service of Louis de Guyenne. Catherine tried to save him from the Parisian mob by hiding him in her father's cellar. He was murdered by Catherine's uncle Thomas Legoix in 1413 after Legoix maiden, Marion had discovered him hiding in the cellar and revealed it to the mobs.

Dame Isabelle de Montsalvy - mother of Michel and Arnaud, Comtesse de Montsalvy, widow. At first, she disliked Catherine, but after realizing how much the young woman suffered and when the tragedy hit them both with Arnaud going down with leprosy, she accepted her truly and loved her like a daughter. Adored her grandson, little Michel who reminded her of her elder son. Died of a broken heart believing her son was a leper.

Michel de Montsalvy jr. - son of Catherine and Arnaud. Inherited his uncle Michel's look. Officially recognized as the Lord of Montsalvy not quite 2 years old, when his father was believed never to return.

Sara - born into a Gypsy tribe on the island of Cyprus. Seized by Turks and sold in the market to a Venetian merchant. She has the ability to see sometimes the glimples into the future. Met Catherine in 1413 in Barnabe's house. She looked after her and accompanied her and her mother to Burgundy. Became first Catherine's maid, then her best friend. Now head of the household in the Château of Montsalvy. Only one, Arnaud ever feared.

Barnaby - one of Catherine's closest friends and good friend of Sara. Met Catherine in Paris when she was a child. After her father's death he fled with her, her mother and Sara to Dijon/Burgundy. Saved Catherine's life several times and was always helping her in difficult situations. Left with Brother Etienne to become a monk. They met for the last time years later and he gave his life to save Catherine.

Music

The Music was composed by Robert Viger (Editions des Alouettes) [11] He distinguished himself already as composer of several soundtracks for example "Les amours romantiques" [12] - a French TV-series. Rober Viger composed already the tv-soundrack for the successful Marianne (série télévisée) back in 1983. Juliette Benzoni's Marianne, une étoile pour Napoléon [13] (six books) was the first of the Novel series filmed for French television.

DVD Releases

December 2007 the French book sales club France Loisirs[14] started to release the long-awaited Catherine, il suffit d'un amour television series from 1986 on DVD. The complete collection consist of 5 boxes - all in all 10 CD's. For the covers of the DVD boxes they used images from the 1986 series. However France Loisirs had missed dubbing the Catherine series - they did not include for example English subtitles to the great disappointment of foreign fans who do not speak French. No extras were included like interviews with the great author Juliette Benzoni, noted director Marion Sarraut and the stars in the leading roles.


References

  1. ^ The Catherine Novels by Juliette Benzoni
  2. ^ Marion Sarraut, Catherine TV series 1986
  3. ^ Jean Lefèvre de Saint-Rémy, King-of-Arms of Philip the Good [1]
  4. ^ First Novel «One Love is Enough» Telos Publishing [2]
  5. ^ Filming on locaction Catherine Series 1985
  6. ^ Mario Luraschi, stuntman, horse trainer in Catherine [3]
  7. ^ TELE STAR 15 March 1986 «Juliette and Marion» [4]
  8. ^ A Marion Sarraut avec beaucoup d'amité (1985 [5]
  9. ^ Marion Sarraut talks about Pierre-Marie Escourrou (Télé Journal November 1985) [6]
  10. ^ Interview with Claudine Ancelot
  11. ^ Robert Viger, composer of Catherine tv-soundtrack [7]
  12. ^ Les amours romantiques, Music by Robert Viger [8]
  13. ^ Marianne TV-series, Novels by Juliette Benzoni [9]
  14. ^ France Loisirs releases Catherine 2007 DVD

External links

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