Danton

Danton

Year: 1983

Runtime: 136 mins

Language: French

Director: Andrzej Wajda

DramaHistory

Former allies Danton and Robespierre, once comrades in the Revolution, become enemies by 1793 as Robespierre imposes the Reign of Terror and orders executions. Danton, a popular advocate of the people, returns from the countryside to denounce the regime and demand rights. Robespierre arranges Danton’s arrest and execution, sealing their tragic conflict.

Danton (1983) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Danton (1983) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the winter‑gray streets of Paris, 1793, every cobblestone seems to echo the weight of a nation teetering between liberty and oppression. Bread lines snake through rain‑slick alleys, and the air hums with whispered rumors of committees, tribunals, and an ever‑watchful gaze that turns ordinary citizens into cautious spectators. The city is a pressure cooker of fear, scarcity, and fleeting hope, painted in muted tones that make even sunlight feel like a distant memory.

At the heart of this charged atmosphere sits Robespierre, a gaunt figure whose rigid convictions have helped shape the Revolution’s most uncompromising policies. He moves through the streets with an air of detached resolve, his decisions dictating the rhythm of daily life. Across the same tumultuous stage, Danton bursts back from the provinces, greeted by a crowd that still remembers his fiery oratory and his reputation as a champion of the people. His return ignites a surge of populist energy that challenges the prevailing order, while Desmoulins, a bold printer, circulates pamphlets that keep the conversation alive in cafés and hidden rooms.

The clash between these two once‑allied titans fuels the film’s relentless tension, turning political philosophy into a personal duel. As rain falls over lantern‑lit squares, allegiances shift like shadows, and the audience is drawn into a world where idealism battles pragmatism on every street corner. The tone is a stark, almost theatrical portrait of a society on the brink, where eloquence can sway a crowd as surely as fear can silence it. Within this crucible, the characters navigate loyalty, ambition, and the haunting question of what a Republic must sacrifice to survive.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 16:19

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Movies about corrupted revolutions like Danton

Stories where high ideals are corrupted by power, leading to personal and political tragedy.Find more movies like Danton that explore the tragic downfall of political idealism. These films often feature historical or fictional revolutions where the pursuit of power betrays the original cause, leading to bleak conclusions and heavy emotional weight for viewers who enjoy serious political dramas.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a visionary or revolutionary figure whose ideals clash with the pragmatic, often brutal, necessities of maintaining power. The story arc is a descent, moving from hope and action to disillusionment, betrayal, and often a tragic end, highlighting the fragility of political virtue.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their focus on the moral corrosion of power, the collapse of utopian visions, and the personal tragedies that occur when political comrades become enemies. They share a tense, serious, and ultimately bleak tone.

Claustrophobic political thrillers with fatal rivalries like Danton

Intense stories of personal betrayal within a collapsing political system.If you liked the tense power struggle and grim atmosphere of Danton, this list features similar movies about fatal rivalries in oppressive settings. These stories are characterized by high intensity, a steady pace towards a tragic conclusion, and a heavy focus on moral conflict and betrayal.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is built around a central, escalating conflict between two powerful figures whose relationship has soured. Set against a backdrop of political turmoil, the story creates a sense of claustrophobia and inevitability, as ideological debates become personal battles leading to a definitive, bleak resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their oppressive atmosphere, the intense focus on a single, fatal rivalry, and the exploration of how power corrupts personal bonds. They deliver a consistent experience of dread and tragic inevitability.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Danton

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