Marat / Sade

UK 1967, 120 minutes
Dir. Peter Brook
Rating: [R18]
Genres: Cult / Prison

Aroview: Intellectually-dense costume-drama set in an 18th century French madhouse, where celebrity inmate, the Marquis de Sade (Patrick Magee) stages a parody of the French Revolution (using other inmates as his actors) for the entertainment of local townsfolk.

Despite the challenging ‘play-within-a-play’ setup, this is one of the most accessible 60s theatre shockers, boasting layered satire, vivid personalities and some brilliantly unhinged performances, especially from Glenda Jackson. Full title: ‘The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade'.

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5 stars (Exceptional) Few films can compare with this masterpiece by Brook & the RSC. Even after a dozen viewings it still packs an unrivaled intellectual punch. Profound & timeless, as relevant today as when it was made. One of the greatest theatrical productions ever made. ~Sandy