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Babettes G�stebud (Babette's Feast) (1987)

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Average Rating: 8.5/10
Reviews Counted: 15
Fresh: 14 | Rotten: 1

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Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 1

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Movie Info

The Danish/French Babette's Feast is based on a story by Isak Dinesen, also the source of the very different Out of Africa (1985). Stephane Audran plays Babette, a 19th century Parisian political refugee who seeks shelter in a rough Danish coastal town. Philippa (Bodil Kjer) and Martina (Birgitte Federspiel), the elderly daughters of the town's long-dead minister, take Babette in. As revealed in flashback, Philippa and Martina were once beautiful young women (played by Hanne Stensgaard and

G, 1 hr. 42 min.

Drama, Romance, Art House & International

Directed By: Gabriel Axel

Written By: Gabriel Axel

In Theaters: Aug 28, 1987 Wide

On DVD: Jan 23, 2001

MGM Home Entertainment

Babettes G�stebud (Babette's Feast) Trailer & Photos

Cast

St�phane Audran
Babette Hersant
Jean-Philippe Lafont
Achille Papin
Gudmar Wivesson
Lorenz Lowenhielm as a ...
Jarl Kulle
Lorenz Lowenhielm as an...
Bibi Andersson
Swedish Court Lady-in-w...
Bodil Kjer
Old Philippa
Birgitte Federspiel
Old Martina
Ebbe Rode
Christopher
Hanne Stensgaard
Young Philippa
Bendt Rothe
Old Nielsen
Vibeke Hastrup
Young Martina
Lisbeth Movin
The Widow
Pouel Kern
The Vicar
Michel Bouquet
Narrator
Ghita N�rby
Narrator
Tina Kiberg
Philippa [singing]
Axel Str�bye
Driver
Ebba With
Lorens' Aunt
Else Petersen
Solveig
Asta Esper Andersen
Anna
Finn Nielsen
Grocer
Holger Perfort
Karlsen
Erik Petersen
Young Erik
Lars Lohmann
Fisherman
Tine Miehe-Renard
Lorens' wife
Thomas Antoni
Swedish Lieutenant
Cay Kristiansen
Poul
Bernadette Lafont
Preben Lerdorff Rye
Kaptajnen
Gert Bastian
Poor Man
Viggo Bentzon
Fisherman in Rowboat
Therese Hojgaard Christen...
Martha

Critic Reviews for Babettes G�stebud (Babette's Feast)

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (1) | DVD (4)

The acting is impeccable and the ambience suffused with delicate charm, but overall this doesn't aim at anything higher than Masterpiece Theatre or a Merchant-Ivory film.

January 29, 2010 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comments (2)

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Undoubtedly the warmest of all Scandinavian films about religion.

December 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy

| Comment

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

A heartwarming feast for adults. May bore kids.

September 16, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Heather Boerner

Common Sense Media

Despite the austerity of the characters and local, this quiet gentle Danish film, the surprise winner of the 1987 Best Foreign Oscar, won over audiences with its subject of food, and the preparartion of a feast to end all feasts-- by Stephane Audran!

November 7, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Scrumptious and beautifully crafted

September 27, 2003 Comment

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

Still the gold standard of food movies.

April 21, 2003 Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

San Francisco Examiner

A literate and lovely-to-look-at film that compels us to meditate upon the needs of the flesh and the gifts of the spirit.

September 1, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

A quiet celebration of the divine grace that meets us at every turn, and even redeems our ways not taken, our sacrifices and losses.

May 8, 2002 Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide

| Comment (1)

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films Guide

At turns philosophical and sensual, this hauntingly elegaic film resonates.

September 24, 2001 Full Review Source: All Movie Guide

| Comment

Dan Jardine

All Movie Guide

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Babettes G�stebud (Babette's Feast)

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This film really moved me when I first saw it many years ago. I just rewatched it and I think that I enjoyed it even more this time around. On the surface it is a very simple film, but the currents that run below the surface are very deep and complex. The film is beautiful, sad, depressing, inspiring and

September 16, 2010

Robert C

Super Reviewer

Set in a rugged fishing village in 1871 Denmark, shows the impact of a French housekeeper (Stephane Audran) on two pious sisters who carry on their late father's work as pastor of a dwindling religious flock. Danish director Gabriel Axel's understated but finely detailed work centers on the preparation and consumption

March 27, 2006

Jeremy Smith

Super Reviewer

Babettes G�stebud (Babette's Feast) Quotes

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1. Lorenz Lowenhielm as an old man: Mercy and truth have met together. Righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another. Man in his weakness and short-sightedness believes he must make choices in this life. He trembles at the risks he takes. We do know fear. But no, our choice is of no importance. There comes a time when your eyes are opened and we come to realize that mercy is infinite. We need only await it with confidence and receive it with gratitude. Mercy imposes no conditions. And lo! Everything we have chosen has been granted to us and everything we have rejected has also been granted. Yes, we get back even what we have rejected. For mercy and truth have met together and righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another.
– Submitted by Chad E (7 months ago)

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