Return Of Martin Guerre Analysis

The film The Return of Martin Guerre details the story of Martin Guerre, a peasant living in 16th century France, who disappears after being accused of stealing sacks of grain by his father. After leaving his wife, Bertrande, and son, Sanxi, for eight years he returns from fighting in the Hundred Years' War. However, doubts arise on whether he is truly Martin or not when three men wandering into the village identify him as Arnaud du Tilh who fought alongside Martin in the war. Martin's uncle ,Pierre, confronts him and a trial ensues. The real Martin Guerre shows up after twelve years revealing that the man is an imposter. Arnaud du Tilh is hung to death. This movie displays the clash of old traditional village values and newer Christian beliefs shown in the festivities of the village as well as the religious mindset of the peasants combined with …show more content…
However, the war ended in 1453 whereas the movie took place in the 1500s which is somewhat of a wide gap in time period. The beginning of the movie also mentioned how it took place under the reign of Francis I (1515-1547), further showing the gap. In addition, the Protestant magistrates displayed how Protestantism was spreading at the time. The village witch and the charivari festival along with the village priest showed how people had a religious mindset with reminiscences of traditional village culture. Also, the persecution of Protestants in that time period is shown when at the end it writes how the magistrates were later executed because of their religious beliefs. I believe this film was worth watching because the plot was very clever. The turn of events in the trial was very unpredictable, leaving you at the edge of your seat wondering who the real Marin Guerre was. It also details the everyday life of peasants as well as their family and social conducts in that time period which was very interesting to