A Season in Hell
A Season in Hell

Movie spotlight

A Season in Hell

1971
Movie
130 min
Italian

The tumultuous life of Arthur Rimbaud, the cursed poet, who completed his masterwork at the age of twenty, became an arms dealer and died at thirty-seven; and his passionate relationship with Paul Verlaine, full of wanderings, storms and falling out.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: René AllioGenres: Drama, History

Plot Summary

This French drama chronicles the turbulent life and artistic struggles of Arthur Rimbaud, a rebellious 17th-century poet. Focusing on his tumultuous relationship with fellow poet Paul Verlaine, the film delves into their passionate, destructive journey through Europe. It captures Rimbaud's defiance of societal norms and his eventual abandonment of poetry for a life of adventure and commerce.

Critical Reception

René Allio's 'A Season in Hell' is a visually striking and atmospheric portrayal of Arthur Rimbaud's life. While some critics found its pacing deliberate, it was generally praised for its evocative imagery and strong performances, particularly from Pierre Clementi as the enigmatic poet.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric and artistic direction.

  • Pierre Clementi's performance as Rimbaud is a standout.

  • Some found the film's narrative structure disjointed.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film is based on Arthur Rimbaud's autobiographical prose poem of the same name, which details his intense and often violent relationship with Paul Verlaine.

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