Catherine (1986 TV series)

infobox Television
bgcolour = #D2B48C
show_name = Catherine
format = Historical
runtime = 26 minutes
director = Marion Sarraut
music = Robert Viger
writer = Juliette Benzoni (based on her novels)
adaptation = Juliette Benzoni and Jean Chatenet
starring = Claudine Ancelot
Pierre-Marie Escourrou
Pascale Petit (2)
Philippe Clay
country = FRA
network = Antenne 2
first_aired = 1986
num_episodes = 60
imdb_id = 0167558|

"Catherine" - a French TV series produced for Antenne 2 channel in 1986. It was based on the series of "Catherine" novels written by Juliette Benzoni. The series was directed by Marion Sarraut, who had already successfully brought on TV another of Madame Benzoni's work - "Marianne". The director had the author's assistance going so far as working together, like mother and daughter, to work on the best-seller "Catherine". Two years of preparation, five months of shooting, two hundred actors - over fifteen hundred costumes. The episodes were not to be seen in the prime time - but from 13:30 - 14:00 each afternoon. The production was nevertheless a huge success. The readers of the books were more than satisfied with what Marion Sarraut had done to "Catherine". To their great joy, the producers had adapted the seven books more or less truthfully. Some minor changes had to be made, probably also due to the small bugdet they had to their disposal. Claudine Ancelot was just perfect Catherine. At her side, Pierre-Marie Escourrou as her great love Arnaud de Montsalvy. With their outstanding performance, they brought the characters of the loveliest Lady of the West and her proud and valiant love to life! Without doubt, we can compare their portrayal on the same level as: Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind! Simultaneously has to be said for all other actors in that production. Be it Pascale Petit (2) as Sara, Benoît Brione as the evil Gilles de Rais or Geneviève Casile as Queen Yolande.

For over two decades, the beautiful story of "Catherine and Arnaud" had vanished. In December 2007 the French company France Loisirs to the delight of all "Catherine" series fans started to releasing the long awaited "Catherine Il suffit d'un amour" TV-Serie on DVD. At the moment 4 double DVDs are available with the 5th to be released in November 2008.

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Episode 1

Catherine Legoix, young girl born nearby the Pont au Change in Paris found herself right in the middle of Cabochienne rebel in 1413. The war between Armagnacs and Burgundians began to look extremely serious. Catherine meets the young noble from Auvergne, Michel de Montsalvy. She also meets the gypsy Sara and Barnabe.

Episode 2

Catherine, having seen the young man being in danger from the Burgundians who want to kill him, is trying to help Michel hiding him in the cellar of her father's house. Unfortunately Marthon, her parents' servant discovers Michel's hiding place and reports him to Caboche. The Burgundians behead Michel and hang Catherine's father. Catherine is devastated.

Episode 3

After her father and Michel's death Catherine and her mother leave Paris together with Sara and Barnabe. They travel to Burgundy, where Catherine's uncle, Matthieu Gautherin lives. The years pass. In 1422 Catherine meets Duke Philippe of Burgundy.

Episode 4

Thanks to Duke Phillippe's pass Catherine leaves Brugges. During their trip to Saint-Quentin they find the wounded knight and take him with them. Moor doctor, Abou helps the knight who turns out to be no one else but Michel's younger brother.

Episode 5

On the way from Saint Quentin to Dijon Catherine is escorted by Jacques de Roussay, who introduces Garin de Brazey to her. Garin de Brazey escorts her safely to her uncle Matthieu Gautherin and her mother, Jacquette de Legoix.

Episode 6

In Dijon Catherine meets Duke Philippe of Burgundy again. He forces Catherine to marry Garin de Brazey, his grand treasurer. The wedding night comes, sombre. Catherine is unhappy. During her husband's absence she slips out of the house and returns to Marsannay.

Episode 7

Garin returns and goes to search his wife in Marsannay. Seeing her husband's strange behaviour Catherine comes to him one night, but Garin pushes her away. Confused and angry young woman decides to never bring herself closer to him.

Episode 8

Arnauld and his friends are bored in the court of the king Charles VII. But Arnauld returns to Burgundy together with Xantrailles to challenge the Duke of Burgundy in the name of the King of France. Exactly when he throws down the gauntlet to the Duke his eyes meet Catherine's eyes.

Episode 9

Arnauld is wounded after the very hard duel and Catherine, with anxiety consuming her approaches him in his tent. They finally declare love to one another. But Arnauld is taken hostage by Jean de Luxembourg's people and imprisoned together with Xantrailles.

Episode 10

Duke Phillippe manipulates Catherine so she spends the night in his bed chamber. In the morning he calls de Montsalvy and Xantrailles to meet Catherine and tells them that she is his lover. After returning home Catherine faces Garin's tremendous anger.

External links

[http://www.catherinedemontsalvy.ch/index.html Catherine de Montsalvy Fansite]

[http://juliette.benzoni.free.fr/ Juliette Benzoni]

[http://orticoni.jose.neuf.fr/cariboost1/crbst_31.html Catherine de Montsalvy]