Babette's Feast (Babettes Gæstebud)

1987

Babette's Feast (Babettes Gæstebud)

Critics Consensus

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97%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 30

91%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 9,284
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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 Vibeke Hastrup), who'd forsaken their chances at romance and fame, taking hollow refuge in religion. Babette holds a secret that may very well allow the older ladies to have a second chance at life. This is one of the great movies about food, but there are way too many surprises in Babette's Feast to allow us to reveal anything else at this point (except that Ingmar Bergman "regulars" Bibi Andersson and Jarl Kulle have significant cameo roles).. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

Stéphane Audran
as Babette Hersant
Birgitte Federspiel
as Martine
Jean-Phillippe La Font
Bodil Kjer
as Filippa
Jarl Kulle
as Lorens
Jean-Philippe Lafont
as Achille
Vibeke Hastrup
as Young Martine
Gudmar Wivesson
as Lorenz Lowenhielm as a Young Man
Bibi Andersson
as Swedish Court Lady-in-waiting
Hanne Stensgaard
as Young Philippa
Bendt Rothe
as Old Nielsen
Ebbe Rode
as Christopher
Lisbeth Movin
as The Widow
Michel Bouquet
as Narrator
Preben Lerdorff Rye
as The Captain
Ghita Nørby
as Narrator
Pouel Kern
as The Vicar
Axel Ströbye
as Driver
Tina Kiberg
as Philippa [singing]
Ebba With
as Lorens' Aunt
Else Peterson
as Solveig
Therese Hojgaard Christensen
as Martha
Else Petersen
as Solveig
Asta Esper Andersen
as Anna
Finn Nielsen
as Grocer
Erik Petersen
as Young Erik
Lars Lohmann
as Fisherman
Holger Perfort
as Karlsen
Tine Miehe-Renard
as Lorens' wife
Thomas Antoni
as Swedish Lieutenant
Gert Bastian
as Poor Man
Viggo Bentzon
as Fisherman in Rowboat
Cay Kristiansen
as Poul
Bernadette Lafont
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Critic Reviews for Babette's Feast (Babettes Gæstebud)

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (4)

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Audience Reviews for Babette's Feast (Babettes Gæstebud)

  • Oct 15, 2013
    This sublime ode to art, gift, love and grace should be remembered for its wonderful direction and a magnificent narrative that never ceases to surprise us with what it has to offer and the unbelievable amount of depth that it holds in every detail of its apparently simple story.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 16, 2010
    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 heartwarming all at once. It is made all the more powerful by the wonderfull acting and beautifull cinematography. A true classic in every sense of the word.
    Robert C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 06, 2010
    One of the longest hour and forty minute films I've ever sat through. The movie wasn't primarily my cup of tea (ha!), but I respect certain aspects of it's storytelling ability and it's skill for fleshing its chief characters out masterfully. It's an extremely slow, and often boring movie, but its one that does have some good elements to it. Just not enough for me to say it's totally worth one's time - only if you're really into food, then this might be the movie for you, might be.
    Dan S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 21, 2009
    Something very appealing in its simplicity. Religious abstinence vs very yummy food!
    meril l Super Reviewer
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