Movie's ratings

    Soundtrack

    Quills (Music from the Original Soundtrack)

    Different stars

    • 1 Nick IngmanThe Marquis and the Scaffold 3:07
    • 2 Nick IngmanThe Abbe and Madelaine 2:19
    • 3 Nick IngmanThe Convent 2:22
    • 4 Nick IngmanPlans for a Burial 1:18
    • 5 Nick IngmanDream of Madelaine 4:42
    • 6 Nick IngmanRoyer-Collard and Bouchon 4:15
    • 7 Nick IngmanAphrodisiac 2:59
    • 8 Nick IngmanThe Last Story 7:35
    • 9 Nick IngmanThe Marquis' Cell At Charenton 4:38
    • 10 Nick IngmanThe End: A New Manuscript 7:32
    • 11 Nick IngmanThe Printing Press 2:24

    2

    " There are no bad words… only bad deeds."
    Country
    Spoken Language
    Runtime 2 hr 4 min
    Budget $13 500 000
    Premiere: World $17 989 227 December 15, 2000
    USA $7 065 332
    Other countries $10 923 895
    Box Office – Budget $4 489 227
    Premiere: USA $7 065 332 November 22, 2000
    theaters 223
    rollout 403 days
    Digital: World August 18, 2008
    Parental Advisory Frightening & Intense Scenes, Profanity, Violence & Gore, ...
    • Frightening & Intense Scenes

      plenty

    • Profanity

      plenty

    • Violence & Gore

      plenty

    • Sex & Nudity

      plenty

    • Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

      few

    Production Companies Industry EntertainmentFox Searchlight PicturesHollywood Partners...Walrus & AssociatesCharenton Productions
    Also Known As

    Description

    In a Napoleonic era insane asylum, an inmate, the irrepressible Marquis De Sade, fights a battle of wills against a tyrannically prudish doctor.

    Сast and Crew

    Quills: The Book Behind the Film

    The Book

    The film "Quills" is not directly based on a single book but is inspired by the life and works of the infamous French writer, the Marquis de Sade. The Marquis de Sade was known for his libertine sexuality and controversial writings, which often explored themes of extreme freedom, morality, and the nature of power.

    Author: Marquis de Sade

    The Marquis de Sade, born Donatien Alphonse François, was a French nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher, and writer, famous for his erotic works that combined philosophical discourse with pornography, depicting sexual fantasies with an emphasis on violence, suffering, and criminality. His most notable works include Justine, Juliette, and The 120 Days of Sodom.

    Adaptation and Correspondence to the Book

    The film "Quills" is loosely inspired by the life and writings of the Marquis de Sade, rather than a direct adaptation of any specific book. The screenplay, written by Doug Wright, was originally a play of the same name. The film explores the final years of de Sade's life, focusing on his imprisonment in the Charenton asylum and his interactions with the people around him.

    While the film captures the essence of de Sade's provocative and controversial nature, it takes creative liberties in its portrayal of historical events and characters. The narrative is more of a fictionalized account that uses de Sade's life as a backdrop to explore themes of censorship, freedom of expression, and the power dynamics between the characters.

    Conclusion

    In summary, "Quills" is not a direct adaptation of any single work by the Marquis de Sade but rather a creative interpretation of his life and the impact of his writings. The film uses the historical figure of de Sade to delve into broader themes, making it a unique blend of historical fiction and drama.

    The Real Story Behind "Quills"

    Historical Background

    The film "Quills" is inspired by the life of the infamous French writer and philosopher, the Marquis de Sade. Born Donatien Alphonse François in 1740, the Marquis de Sade was a controversial figure known for his libertine sexuality and writings that explored the darker sides of human nature. His works were considered scandalous and blasphemous, leading to his imprisonment and eventual confinement in an asylum.

    The Marquis de Sade's Life

      • Early Life: Born into an aristocratic family, de Sade was educated in a Jesuit school and later joined the military. His early life was marked by privilege, but also by a growing reputation for debauchery.

      • Imprisonment: De Sade's writings and lifestyle led to multiple imprisonments. He spent a significant portion of his life in various prisons and asylums, including the Bastille and the Charenton Asylum.

      • Writings: His most famous works include "Justine," "Juliette," and "The 120 Days of Sodom." These writings were characterized by their explicit content and philosophical musings on freedom and morality.

    Film vs. Reality

    The film "Quills," directed by Philip Kaufman and written by Doug Wright, takes creative liberties with the historical events surrounding the Marquis de Sade's life. While the film captures the essence of de Sade's rebellious spirit and the oppressive environment of the Charenton Asylum, it fictionalizes certain aspects for dramatic effect.

    Key Differences

      • Character Interactions: The film introduces fictional characters and relationships that did not exist in reality, such as the laundress Madeleine, to explore themes of censorship and artistic freedom.

      • Events: Some events in the film are dramatized or invented to enhance the narrative, such as the smuggling of de Sade's writings out of the asylum.

      • Philosophical Themes: While the film accurately portrays de Sade's philosophical ideas, it simplifies complex historical contexts to make them accessible to a modern audience.

    Overall, "Quills" serves as a dramatized interpretation of the Marquis de Sade's life, focusing on the tension between creative expression and societal constraints. It captures the spirit of de Sade's defiance but should not be taken as a strictly factual account of historical events.

    Production

    The interior set of the Charenton (asylum) in Quills was built at Pinewood Studios, where most of the filming took place. Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, and London stood in for the exterior shots of early 19th century France. Oscar-winning production designer Martin Childs (Shakespeare in Love) imagined the primary location of Charenton as an airy, though circuitous place, darkening as Royer-Collard takes over operations. The screenplay specifies the way the inmates' rooms link together, which plays a key role in the relay of the Marquis' climactic story to Madeleine. Screenwriter/playwright Doug Wright was a constant presence on set, assisting the actors and producers in interpreting the script and bringing his vision to life. Casting directors Donna Isaacson and Priscilla John recruited a number of actors from a disabled actor's company to play the parts of many of the inmates at Charenton.

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    Philip Kaufman — Top Rated Movies

    Critique: 8

    75%
    6 2
    RogerEbert.com December 15, 2000

    Kaufman … finds a tone that remains more entertaining than depressing, more absorbing than alarming.

    CNN.com January 1, 2000

    Pretentious, long-winded.

    ReelViews January 1, 2000

    Arguably the most provocative and best historical melodrama of 2000.

    SFGATE January 1, 2000

    Rush often makes the film soar with a sense of enlightened madness.

    New York Times January 1, 2000

    The elegance of Mr. Kaufman’s direction and his handling of the cast make for the kind of euphoric stylishness that has been missing from mov...

    Newsweek March 6, 2018

    A literate, playfully provocative defense of free speech at its most abominable, Philip Kaufman and Doug Wright’s movie impudently positions...

    Salon.com January 1, 2000

    It’s an unapologetic dazzler, which is why it’s never overwhelmed by its themes.

    calendarlive.com January 1, 2000

    Experiencing this pretentious wallow – overwritten, under-thought and overdone – is a very sophisticated form of torture.

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    Watched

    Geoffrey Rush, of course, drags. You don’t just believe in his De Sade, you want to read his De Sade and understand why in Napoleonic times he was considered a vile pervert. It’s also interesting to know the opinion of the French about whether it’s perverted to make a film about France with an English-speaking cast?)

    Translated to English

    Watched

    A film for the diligent and bloodthirsty. Everything is captured: narration, costumes, makeup, casting, music. The incredible Geoffrey Rush as de Sade steals the viewer’s attention, revealing both the body of this, to put it mildly, strange man, as well as the supposed soul of the writer and politician.

    Translated to English