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Movies / On DVD / On Guard
On Guard

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On Guard (1997)

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Reviews Counted:30

Fresh:26

Rotten:4

Average Rating:7/10

Consensus: A spirited, old-fashioned swashbuckler.

Runtime: 2 hrs 8 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Synopsis: This superb swashbuckler stars Daniel Auteuil as Legardere, a swordsman in 18th-century France who befriends his fellow fencing student, the dashing Duke de Nevers (Vincent Perez), only to wind up... This superb swashbuckler stars Daniel Auteuil as Legardere, a swordsman in 18th-century France who befriends his fellow fencing student, the dashing Duke de Nevers (Vincent Perez), only to wind up on the run and accused of his murder. Nevers' villainous cousin (Fabrice Luchini) has orchestrated the killing, and is now after the Duke's infant child, Aurore, who is rescued and raised by Legardere. The years pass and Aurore grows into a ravishing beauty (played by Marie Gillain), who has inherited her father's skill with a sword, and, controversially, developed more than just a daughterly love for her protector. Sworn to avenge the Duke's death and restore Aurore's rightful title, Legardere undertakes a daring scheme of retribution and revenge. Like a great old novel (it's adapted from LE BOSSU by Paul Feval) the film grips one's attention firmly from beginning to end, with Auteuil a dashing Fairbanks-esque hero, Luchini a most hissable villain, and Gillain a damsel worth dying for. Sumptuous photography lovingly captures the epic sets and breathtaking outdoor locations without ever distracting from character, plot, or pace. [More]

Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Fabrice Luchini, Vincent Perez, Marie Gillain

Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Fabrice Luchini, Vincent Perez, Marie Gillain, Sacha Bourdo, Claire Nebout, Philippe Noiret, Didier Pain, Renato Scarpa, Jacques Sereys, Jean-François Stévenin, James-Spencer Thieree

Director: Phillippe De Broca

Director: Phillippe De Broca
Screenwriter: Phillippe De Broca, Jean Cosmos, Jerome Tonnerre
Producer: Patrick Godeau
Composer: Philippe Sarde
Studio: Empire Pictures

[See More Credits]

Reviews for On Guard

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 26 2006 03:16 AM

Time Out

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 18 2008 09:08 AM

Variety

tomato
3/5

Emanuel Levy

No review available.

comment Comment | Jul., 21 2005 11:08 PM

EmanuelLevy.Com

splat
C+

Dennis Schwartz

It was too silly and formulaic to get my undivided attention.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 23 2004 03:54 PM

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 05 2003 08:15 AM

Austin Chronicle

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 15 2003 08:15 AM

Boston Phoenix

tomato
3/4

Marty Mapes

For both the artsy foreign-film crowd and the blue-collar action-movie fans

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 18 2003 07:30 PM

Movie Habit

tomato
B

Robert Denerstein

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 11 2003 08:19 AM

Denver Rocky Mountain News

tomato
B+

Doris N. Truong

Sometimes, nothing satisfies like old-fashioned swashbuckling. And in this regard, On Guard delivers.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 24 2003 05:35 PM

Dallas Morning News

tomato
3.5/5

Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone

Touché!

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 24 2003 06:32 AM

TheMovieChicks.com

tomato
B+

Frank Swietek

Vastly enjoyable--a stylish, affectionate, old-fashioned swashbuckler...staged with such elan that the result is completely winning.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 21 2003 08:28 AM

One Guy's Opinion

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 04 2003 08:38 AM

Houston Chronicle

tomato
3/4

Wesley Morris

Despite its postdated irrelevance and its dopey title, this Daniel Auteuil vehicle is ludicrous fun.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 03 2003 03:38 PM

Boston Globe

splat
2/4

Allison Benedikt

An awkward and indigestible movie.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 03 2003 12:30 AM

Chicago Tribune

tomato
3/4

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Turns out to be a nifty swashbuckler whose plot easily could have been lifted from a number of Douglas Fairbanks silent pictures.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 31 2002 03:56 PM

Combustible Celluloid

tomato
4/5

Anita Schmaltz

In the spirit of Voltaire and Molière, On Guard volleys great wit and deadly gestures in a milieu of lush apparel, landscapes, captivating music and 18th-century lacy sleeves.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 27 2002 11:00 AM

Metro Times (Detroit, MI)

tomato
3/4

John Monaghan

It's a tale well told and nearly irresistible.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 24 2002 10:55 PM

Detroit Free Press

tomato
3/4

Edward Guthmann

A big, gorgeous, sprawling swashbuckler that delivers its diversions in grand, uncomplicated fashion.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 20 2002 06:28 PM

San Francisco Chronicle

tomato
B

Robin Clifford

“On Guard!” won’t be placed in the pantheon of the best of the swashbucklers but it is a whole lot of fun and you get to see the one of the world’s best actors, Daniel Auteuil, have a whale of a good time.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 16 2002 08:02 AM

Reeling Reviews

tomato
B

Laura Clifford

classic cinema served up with heart and humor

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2002 12:20 PM

Reeling Reviews

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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