Cousin Bette
| File:Cousin Bette.JPG Cover of 1965 Penguin Classics edition of La Cousine Bette (Cousin Bette) | |
| Author | Honoré de Balzac |
|---|---|
| Original title | La Cousine Bette |
| Language | French |
Publication date | 1846 |
| Publication place | France |
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:
- 1927 French film
- Cousin Bette at IMDb
- 1964 French television production adapted by Jean-Louis Bory starring Alice Sapritch as Bette and Claudine Coster as Valerie
- 1971 BBC mini-series adapted by Ray Lawler starring Margaret Tyzack as Bette and Helen Mirren as Valerie; also broadcast on PBS television in 1972
- Cousin Bette at IMDb
- 1998 film adapted by Lynn Siefert starring Jessica Lange as Bette
- Cousin Bette at IMDb
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.
External links
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