Marat/Sade: More than a Play

Abstract

A great deal of academic research on Marat/Sade draws upon the dramatic film of the same name directed by Peter Brook. Shot in 1967, this film was reproduced by Brook as a direct adaptation of the stage production of Marat/Sade, essentially recreating its theatrical scenes for the screen. Cinema, as a medium of reproduction, is certainly capable of replicating renowned ballets, operas, and similar performing arts. Yet even if we grant that such reproductions meet the unique demands of the silver screen, some of them are ultimately little more than “preservation” of the original works hardly compelling in their own right. The 1967 Marat/Sade, however, stands apart. It is not just an essential viewing resource for anyone studying the play Marat/Sade, but also holds intrinsic value as a work of cinematic art.