Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman

Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman

Year: 1973

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: French

Director: Roger Vadim

Drama

Jeanne, a wealthy Parisian who sees herself as the new Don Juan, confides in a priest that she has killed a man. In her flat she recounts seductive liaisons with a politician, a tycoon, and a folk singer, saying seduction is easy but destruction needs planning. She calls herself a spider, while her friend Léporella tries to be her conscience.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events take place in a contemporary setting, reflecting the era's fashion, social mores, and media-driven scandals. The narrative moves through intimate interiors, upscale gatherings, and public confrontations, showing a world where personal exploits become public spectacle. The pace and settings evoke a modern, transnational atmosphere rather than a distant historical period.

Location

France, Island near Sweden, London

The story unfolds across modern European settings, with key scenes in France (funeral, courtrooms, bars), a secluded mansion on an island near Sweden for the pivotal scandal, and London during the trip that tests Jeanne's boundaries. Each locale underscores a cosmopolitan, high-society milieu where reputation and desire drive the plot. The cross-border locations emphasize the characters’ mobility and the global reach of their schemes.

🇫🇷 France 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇬🇧 London 🗺 Europe

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

Main Characters – Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman (1973)

Meet the key characters of Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jeanne

A charismatic, self-styled Don Juan who believes she can destroy men with her allure. She wields seductive power to manipulate lovers and shape their fates for wealth and independence. Beneath the charm, she remains calculating and ready to confront the consequences of her actions.

💋 Seduction 🪄 Manipulation 🎭 Charisma

Pierre Gonzague

A magistrate whose respectable facade hides a history of affairs. He is drawn to Jeanne but fears losing status and moral compromise. His pride and vulnerability make him a prime target for Jeanne's schemes.

⚖️ Justice 💔 Infidelity 🔥 Power

Louis Prévost

A volatile husband whose vanity and cruelty fuel the conflict. His pursuit of Jeanne and jealousy drive him to forceful confrontations and reckless decisions. The volatile dynamic exposes how wealth and power can corrupt personal relationships.

💢 Jealousy 🔥 Power 🏛️ Wealth

Léporella

Jeanne's secretary and confidante who manages her schemes. Léporella's loyalty and efficiency keep the plot moving, even as she remains morally watchful of the danger around Jeanne.

🗂️ Servitude 🪄 Loyalty 👀 Surveillance

The Guitarist

A romantic guitarist who is drawn to Jeanne and agrees to give up everything for her, only to be crushed by her manipulation. His love ends in tragedy, revealing the human cost of Jeanne's ruthless games. His death underscores the violence that can accompany obsession.

🎸 Music 💔 Unrequited love 💥 Tragedy

Clara

Louis Prévost's wife, a figure who provides a moral counterpoint to Jeanne's schemes. She participates in the London segment and reveals the strains of a marriage under public scrutiny. Her interactions with Jeanne complicate the power dynamics at play.

💍 Marriage 🗝️ Empowerment 🥀 Jealousy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

Major Themes – Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman (1973)

Explore the central themes of Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💋 Seduction

Jeanne uses her charm and allure to manipulate men, casting herself as a modern Don Juan. Her seductive power fuels a cycle of betrayal and power plays that drive the plot. The film explores how desire can function as a weapon, shaping relationships and reputations.

🗞️ Scandal

A planned encounter becomes a catalyst for a national scandal, showing how media sensationalism can ruin lives. Pierre's fall from grace unfolds as Jeanne orchestrates circumstances to expose his alleged indiscretions. The press and public reactions amplify personal vendettas into political storms.

🪞 Identity

Jeanne embodies a Don Juan-like fantasy of control, challenging gender norms and playing with identity. Her self-concept as the 'reincarnation' of Don Juan drives her actions and justifies her ruthlessness. The film probes how self-image and performance intersect with real consequences.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

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Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman Summary

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Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman Summary

Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman Timeline

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Don Juan or If Don Juan Were a Woman Timeline

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