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**{{imdb title|id=0068062|title=Cousin Bette}}
**{{imdb title|id=0068062|title=Cousin Bette}}


* 1998 film adapted by [[Lynn Siefert]] starring [[Jessica Lange]] as Bette. This film alters much of the plotline.
* 1998 film adapted by [[Lynn Siefert]] starring [[Jessica Lange]] as Bette. and [[Elisabeth Shue]] as Jenny Cadine. This film alters much of the plotline. It expands Jenny's role and completely omits the character of Valerie.
**{{imdb title|id=0118894|title=Cousin Bette}}
**{{imdb title|id=0118894|title=Cousin Bette}}



Revision as of 01:25, 17 November 2007

Cousin Bette
File:Cousin Bette.JPG
Cover of 1965 Penguin Classics edition of La Cousine Bette (Cousin Bette)
AuthorHonoré de Balzac
Original titleLa Cousine Bette
LanguageFrench
Publication date
1846
Publication placeFrance

La Cousine Bette (English: Cousin Bette) is an 1846 novel by Honoré de Balzac. It has been adapted for film or television at least four times, including a 1998 movie starring Jessica Lange.

Plot introduction

It is the story of a poor cousin who seeks, with the help of a prostitute, to ruin the lives of her wealthy relations.

Major characters

  • Mlle Elisabeth 'Bette' Fischer
  • Valérie Marneffe
  • Jenny Cadine
  • Cesar Crevel
  • Baron Hector Hulot
  • Mme la baronne Adeline Hulot
  • Count Wenceslas Steinbach
  • Hortense Hulot
  • Victorin Hulot
  • Stidmann

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

There have been at least 4 adaptations for film and television:

DVD Release

The 1971 version of Cousin Bette with Margaret Tyzack and Helen Mirren is available on DVD in the UK and the United States (in a two-disc set).

Trivia

The American actress Bette Davis had adopted this spelling of her name, instead of her original "Betty", under the influence of Balzac's book.