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Andrzej Wajdas 1982 French/Polish motion picture version of the struggle between Danton and Robespierre for control of the country lays painfully bare a fact that is subtly inferred in most histories. ... The movie Danton goes a step further in its extreme, pervasive and nearly neurotic homophobia. ... This, and this alone, is the reason Danton deserves to rule instead.
According to the movie, what qualities does Danton possess that would make him a statesman whose will and ideas deserve to win over Robespierres? Danton is corrupt. Although the movie says next to nothing about his East India peculation, even it cannot gloss over the glaring fact that Danton, in violation of every principle of revolutionary fairness and equality, is making a lot of money (and certainly not through politics) while his country is needy. ... Although his is popular and a “great orator,” Danton does not seem to make a particularly good choice as a leader either. ... At worst, which is quite often in the course of the movie, Danton is fatalistically reckless. ... Danton then leaves his doomed comrades to fend for themselves when he meets two prostitutes, obviously old friends. Such corruption, irresponsibility and brainless braggadocio do not make Danton the type of politician one would like at the head of a crisis-plagued country. ... Furthermore, Robespierre seems a cleverer politician; he is willing to make compromises, even with Danton whom he feels to be in bad faith. Danton seems to want things his way or no way at all. ... This is most evident when he initially defends Danton to the Committee of Public Safety because he foresees that Dantons execution would mean the necessary application of the Great Terror. Even when the truth is not on his side he is able to discover it as when he admits to Eleanore, during the course of the trial, "the Danton case is a dilemma. ... Even when ill, he is reading government papers---one can bet Danton was doing nothing of the sort when on his extended honeymoon with his 16-year-old bride. Robespierre has the tact, restraint and manners, so essential to the smooth running of political affairs, that Danton so desperately lacks. Robespierre politely accepts wine at Dantons dinner, even though he doesnt normally drink, but unlike Danton he does not get drunk and divulge dangerous opinions. ... Although at his trial Danton will refer to Robespierre as a "mediocre man" objectively there is little reason to view him as such from a political perspective.
Approximate Word count = 1997
Approximate Pages = 8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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