Set in 1671 France under the decadent reign of Louis XIV, VATEL charts the events of a three-day feast in an impoverished western province. In an effort to impress the gilded king and then ask him for financial support, Prince de Condé (Julian Glover) invites Louis XIV (Julian Sands) to his country chateau for a weekend of courtly merriment. Gerard Depardieu stars as Vatel, the chef and entertainment planner, who must succeed in presenting the most lavishly organized occasion the king has ever witnessed. Vatel masterminds the sumptuous details of the weekend with gusto and charming bravura. The chateau of de Condé is transformed into a world of delights, enthralling the king, his court, and especially the king's favorite lady-in-waiting, Anne de Montausier (Uma Thurman). But when the kindly Vatel wins Anne's fancy, he is in danger of angering the opulent and lustful king and his villainous cohort Marquis de Lauzan (Tim Roth). Based on a true story, with a screenplay cowritten by Tom Stoppard and Jeanne LaBrune, this decadent period piece from director Roland Joffé is a fine visual confection. The film features stunning production and costume design that captures the opulence of France's most legendary court and most celebrated king.

Theatrical release: December 25, 2000 (NY/LA)

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 10, 2000.

VATEL cost $36 million to produce.

The film, originally released in France, is actually in English. However, the original screenplay was written in French by Jeanne LaBrune and was translated into English by Tom Stoppard. Later, a dubbed French version of the film was created. With Gerard Depardieu in the lead role, he's been criticized for his difficulties with the English script.

The film was distributed by Gaumont in France and Miramax in the U.S.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35:1
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Roland Joffe - Director
Featurette - "The Costumes of VATEL"
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

Distributor Notes: Vatel

Starring Uma Thurman (THE AVENGERS, PULP FICTION), Gerard Depardieu (THE CLOSET), and Tim Roth (ROB ROY), VATEL is based on the true story of an ordinary man, a decadent king, and the woman caught between them! In the west of France, Prince de Conde has a scheme to save his bankrupt province: he'll regain the favor of King Louis XIV with a weekend of spectacle and merriment. The plan's success rests with Vatel (Depardieu), the one man who can deliver sumptuous food, elaborate amusements, and all-out decadence fit for this king. But in the midst of it all, Vatel catches the eye of the beautiful Anne (Thurman) ... and places himself in direct competition with the King! Visually stunning and grandly entertaining, it's a motion picture you must see to believe!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Gérard Depardieu: French Actor/Director
Uma Thurman: American actress, PULP FICTION
Tim Roth: British Actor
Julian Sands: British Actor
Arielle Dombasle: French Actress
Julian Glover: British Actor
Marine Delterme: actress
Timothy Spall: British Actor, TOPSY-TURVY (1999)

Roland Joffé: British Director

Alain Goldman: producer

Tom Stoppard: Playwright/Screenwriter
Jeanne Labrune: Screenwriter/Director

"...A sustained visual feast..."
"...Roland Joffe's best film in years....[With] a marvelous ensemble..."
"...Very sumptuous-looking....[Thurman] adds a poignant note of grace..."
"...Boldly distinctive....VATEL is a timeless tale of love and sacrifice in a world as opulent as it is cruel..."