The film is biographical, telling the story of the life and artistic struggles of the French composer Hector Berlioz. Berlioz is shown as a recalcitrant medical student in an anatomy class dreaming of becoming a composer; at a demonstration during a performance at the Paris Opéra conducted by Habeneck; at supper with other young artists (Hugo, Janin, Dumas, Mérimée, Delacroix); and chasing after his future wife Harriet Smithson, after a performance of Hamlet. Also depicted are his life in a garret, while suffering from an illness due to an abscess in the throat; a visit from his mother who curses him; and the composition of the Symphonie fantastique. The film then shows his marital breakdown, the premiere of his opera Benvenuto Cellini, his travels throughout Europe, his second marriage to Marie Recio (called "Marie Martin" in the film), public acceptance in old age and reconciliation with his son.
Credits
La symphonie fantastique Cast
| Name |
Character |
|
Jules Berry
He was 59, 68 years old when he died
|
as Schlesinger |
|
Julien Bertheau
He was 31, 85 years old when he died
|
as Victor Hugo |
|
Gilbert Gil
He was 28, 74 years old when he died
|
as Louis Berlioz |
|
Renée Saint-Cyr
She was 37, 99 years old when she died
|
as Marie Martin |
|
Lise Delamare
She was 28, 93 years old when she died
|
as Harriet Smithson |
|
Noël Roquevert
He was 49, 80 years old when he died
|
as le gendarme |
|
Bernard Blier
He was 26, 73 years old when he died
|
as Antoine Charbonnel |
|
Catherine Fonteney
She was 62, 86 years old when she died
|
as Madame Berlioz |
|
Jean-Louis Barrault
He was 31, 83 years old when he died
|
as Hector Berlioz |
|
Louis Seigner
He was 38, 87 years old when he died
|
as Habeneck |
La symphonie fantastique Crew
