Sep 08, 2006 the paris commune is often said to be the first example of working people taking power. The central committee forces the mayors to capitulate. During this epic, we witness the rise and eventual fall of the commune. Henri guillemin the paris commune second french revolution, 1871 episode.
Starting on 5 january 1871, paris and its suburbs were subjected to. It established the first truly democratic government in the city and the entirety of france as all workers united and overthrew the existing french regime at that time, which had failed to guard paris from the prussian siege. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. The paris commune of 1871 was one of the greatest and most inspiring episodes in the history of the working class. In this war drama blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, the working class and the bourgeoisie of 19th century paris are interviewed and covered on television, before and during a tragic workers class revolt. France contre france par jeanmichel demetz, publie le 28122015 a 08.
Like many of watkins later films, it is quite lengthy a long cut runs 5 hours and 45 minutes, though the more common version is 3 and a half hours long. Centered on the story of the paris commune, the workingclass insurgency that briefly ruled the french capital in 1871, peter watkinss film is at once a. Malgre son echec, ou grace a lui, elle est une precieuse source denseignement pour tous les revolutionnaires. Like many of watkins later films, it is quite lengthy a long cut runs 5 hours and 45 minutes, though the more. The paris commune of 1871 a brief historical background. The working class, refugees from parts of france occupied by germany, and immigrants, formed the bedrock of the communes popular support. Adolphe thiers, chief executive of the provisional national government, is alarmed by the revolutionary activities of the paris national guard, an armed militia of some 260 battalions organized by the previous government to help defend paris against the prussians in the last days of the disastrous francoprussian war. The working class, refugees from parts of france occupied by germany, and immigrants, formed the bedrock of the commune s popular support. Yes, this could have been how events unfolded on the streets of paris in 1871, and possibly also paris in 1968. On march 18 1871, after france was defeated by prussia in the francoprussian war, the french government sent troops into paris to try and take back. Following the humiliating defeat of france in the francoprussian war. With eliane annie adalto, pierre barbieux, bernard bombeau, maylis bouffartigue.
Episode avec sous titres en francais et sources citees par le narrateur. This black period from french history is hardly known and is still not included in school. May 16, 2001 the paris commune of 1871 was one of the greatest and most inspiring episodes in the history of the working class. The annus horribilis, as described by victor hugo, led to the paris commune and the outbreak of civil war. Henri guillemin the paris commune second french revolution, 1871 episode 5. A historical reenactment in the style of a documentary, the film received much acclaim from critics for watkins direction and political themes. The parisian workers strove, in extremely difficult circumstances, to. Episode with french subtitles and original documents cited by. With a small film crew and a cast of amatuers, watkins recreates the paris commune. It occurred in the wake of france s defeat in the francogerman war and the collapse of napoleon iiis second empire 185270. Noted filmmaker and media critic peter watkins directs this mammoth sixhourlong look at the legendary paris commune of 1871. While french marshall robert bugeaud was writing a manual for the army to. You can download a highresolution of this map here under a creative. Following the humiliating defeat of france in the francoprussian war, the reign of napoleon iii collapsed in the resulting public foment.
In a tremendous revolutionary movement, the working people of paris replaced the capitalist state with their own organs of government and held political power until their downfall in the last week of may. It established the first truly democratic government in the city and the entirety of france as all workers united and overthrew the existing french regime at that time, which had failed to guard paris from the prussian siege see the fact file below for more information on the paris commune or. The paris commune is often said to be the first example of working people taking power. One of the most important french film at 21st century. The paris commune was a popularled democratic government that ruled paris from march 18 to may 28, 1871. The working class, refugees from parts of france occupied by germany, and immigrants, formed the. For this reason it is a highly significant event, even though it is ignored in the french history curriculum. The francoprussian war had led to the capture of emperor napoleon iii in september 1870, the collapse of the second french empire, and the beginning of the third republic. Episode with french subtitles and original documents cited by the narrator.
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