The Supper (1992)
A razor-sharp battle of wits between two titans of French political history, fought entirely across a single dinner table.
The Supper - Movie Information
- Original Title: Le Souper
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Édouard Molinaro
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 23, 1992 (France - U), March 14, 1993 (Germany)
- Alternative Titles: Ein Abendessen mit dem Teufel (DE)
- Production Companies: parma films, Trinacra Films
- Production Countries: France
The Supper - Plot
France, 1815. After his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon heads for exile. Royalists occupy Paris and attempt to restore the monarchy. However, the battle doesn't seem to be over. On July 6, Talleyrand, a shrewd politician of flexible convictions, invites chief of police and zealous revolutionary Fouché to supper and tries to convince him to serve the king. Over the meal they insult each other, accuse each other, and, at first sight, look like mortal enemies. But they definitely have one thing in common: they are both power-hungry.
Where to Watch The Supper
Looking for where to watch The Supper?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Supper - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Édouard Molinaro
Main Cast
- Claude Brasseur
- Claude Rich
- Michel Piccoli
- Ticky Holgado
- Yann Collette
- Stéphane Jobert
- Alexandra Vandernoot
- Lionel Vitrant
- Alexandre Brasseur
- Didier Cauchy
Writers
- Jean-Claude Brisville
Producers
- Yves Rousset-Rouard
The Supper - FAQs
What is The Supper about?
The Supper is set in Paris in 1815, following Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. Shrewd diplomat Talleyrand invites revolutionary police chief Fouché to dinner, where the two adversaries trade insults, accusations, and political maneuvers, each driven by an insatiable hunger for power and survival in a shifting regime.
Is The Supper based on a true story?
Yes. The film is based on Jean-Claude Brisville's acclaimed stage play, which dramatizes a historically plausible meeting between Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord and Joseph Fouché on July 6, 1815. Both were real and towering figures of French political history, though the precise dinner dialogue is a literary invention.
Who are the main actors in The Supper?
The film stars Claude Brasseur as Fouché and Claude Rich as Talleyrand in the two central roles. The supporting cast includes Michel Piccoli as the voice of Chateaubriand, Ticky Holgado, Yann Collette, Stéphane Jobert, Alexandra Vandernoot, and Alexandre Brasseur, among others.
Who directed The Supper?
The Supper was directed by Édouard Molinaro, the acclaimed French filmmaker best known internationally for La Cage aux Folles (1978). With this film, Molinaro demonstrated his versatility by adapting Brisville's chamber play into a taut, dialogue-driven historical drama.
When was The Supper released?
The Supper was released on December 23, 1992 in France, followed by a release in Germany on March 14, 1993.
What is the significance of the dinner setting in The Supper?
The dinner table functions as a battlefield in miniature. Confined to a single evening and location, the meal becomes a stage for two of history's most calculating survivors to negotiate power, loyalty, and self-preservation. The intimacy of the setting amplifies every verbal thrust and political concession between Talleyrand and Fouché.
What genre is The Supper?
The Supper is a Drama and History film. It belongs to the tradition of French chamber cinema — a dialogue-driven, theatrically staged work that prioritizes verbal sparring and historical atmosphere over action, drawing heavily from its origins as a celebrated stage play.
What are similar movies to The Supper?
Viewers who enjoy The Supper may also appreciate Dispute in Valladolid (1992), another Brisville-penned historical dialogue piece, as well as The Old Gun (1975) and The Minister (2011). These films share an interest in moral complexity, French history, and character-driven storytelling rooted in theatrical tradition.
More About The Supper
Explore further details and databases for The Supper.