Marie Antoinette Information

The contrast between the elegance of the French royal court and the barbarity of the French Revolution makes the story of Marie Antoinette, France’s last queen, a vivid and hypnotic narrative. Marie Antoinette – The Scapegoat Queen follows the Austrian-born princess through the complex politics of her arranged marriage to her sometimes scandalous behavior as Queen of France to her harsh end on the guillotine, arguing that though often foolish, Antoinette deserved neither her savage fate nor her reputation as a callous tyrant.

The documentary uses an impressive wealth of paintings, sculptures, and architecture to capture the flamboyance and playful flavor of the French aristocracy, and also uses occasional snippets of movies about the period to provide a little more visual activity. All in all, a thorough depiction of an incredible historical period…though whether Antoinette comes across as anything but a self-serving pawn of history is debatable, despite the documentary’s emphasis on her few moments of dignity. –Bret Fetzer

Product Description

“I was a queen, and you took away my crown, a wife, and you killed my husband, a mother, and you took my children away from me. All I have left is my blood: Take it, but do not make me suffer long.” – Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette, the young and beautiful Austrian princess who was strategically married into the most prestigious monarchy in Europe, was to become the symbol for the wanton extravagance of the 18th century aristocracy and was to be France’s last queen.

This is the story of the woman who became one of the most romanticized and tragic figures of history.