Cyrano de Bergerac by Rostand (Derek Jacobi 1985 TV) 17/17

link here to a playlist of all these "Cyrano" uploads:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=14D0A4E858BD436F

Sinéad Cusack... Roxane
Derek Jacobi... Cyrano de Bergerac
Pete Postlethwaite... Ragueneau
John Bowe... Le Bret

Writers:
Edmond Rostand (play)
Anthony Burgess (translation)

Directed by Terry Hands
Original Music by Nigel Hess
Film Editing by David Martin
Production Design by Ralph Koltai
Costume Design by Alexander Reid

Alexander Guy Holborn Spiers writes:

...the fifth act shows us Cyrano strengthened in his idealism, and clinging to it with all the exaltation born of his sacrifices. According to worldly standards, his life would be judged a failure. But, as he says himself, he has been true to his principles; he has lived without compromise; and there is one thing which, unsullied, he will carry with him across the threshold of Paradise, and that is the very symbol of all for which he has contended, his plume! (plume or panache, see note below)

"Panache". This word has no English equivalent. It has both a literal and a figurative meaning. Literally it is the plume waving high above the head-gear of a soldier. Figuratively it is, as Professor A. Cohn has put it, a winning and joyous "external quality which adds color and brilliancy to internal things already worth having for their own intrinsic value. Its main justification is personal bravery."

Rostand, in his 'Discours' on being inducted into the French Academy, said of it: "Le panache n'est pas la grandeur, mais quelque chose qui s'ajoute à la grandeur, et qui bouge au-dessus d'elle. C'est quelque chose de voltigeant, d'excessif, — et d'un peu frisé .. . c'est le courage dominant à ce point la situation qu'il en trouve le mot... Certes, les héros sans panache sont plus désintéressés que les autres, car le panache, c'est souvent, dans un sacrifice qu'on fait, une consolation d'attitude qu'on se donne. Un peu frivole peut-être, un peu théâtral sans doute, le panache n'est qu'une grâce; mais cette grâce . . . suppose tant de force (l'esprit qui voltige n'est-il pas la plus belle victoire sur la carcasse qui tremble?) que, tout de même, c'est une grâce que je nous souhaite"

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Rostand
• Cyrano-de-Bergerac
• Derek-Jacobi
• Pete-Postlethwaite
• Sinéad-Cusack
• John-Bowe
• play
• theatre
• theater

[Lothriel]

Perhaps ironically, I am once again struck dumb by this performance and Sir Derek's raw, unmatched talent.

Now 'scuse me while I go get some Kleenex...

[grizzwoldian]

Original performance was at the barbican in 83...i've cried a hundred times since i first saw it. Genius. The greatest perfomance of any actor in any play at least in my lifetime,

[fishywtf]

:'( Great performance by Jacobi... <3 I need some tissues...

[crisscross1985]

Thank you so much for uploading this. I think this story is more beautiful than even Romeo & Juliet. <3<3

[CorwynCelesil]

This performance may have cured me of my irrational dislike for Derek Jacobi. Brilliantly performed. And Ragueneau was great. Not so fond of Sinead Cusack as Roxanne, though. Of course Roxanne is rather an idiot, except in the last act.

[orlandobabe]

Truly I love the man, Cyrano!

[dillonfreed]

my god... 

[artj22850]

Wow, thanks for posting this. I love Derek Jacobi and have wanted to see this play for a long time. I own the opera version by Alagna. This one looks to be the best in dramatic form. I must see this entire production. Do you know what year it aired? Jacobi is marvelous in this play. Love this scene. Thanks again!

[jaxhead]

Utter brilliance. Bravo! Where's my tissues! :)

[langsense]

This still has the power to bring tears to my eyes.