Le Bossu

This superb swashbuckler stars Daniel Auteuil as Lagardere, a swordsman in 18th-century France who befriends his fellow fencing student, the dashing Duke de Nevers (Vincent Perez), only to wind up on the run and accused of his murder. Nevers' villainous cousin (Fabrice Luchini) has orchestrated the killing, and is now after the Duke's infant child, Aurore, who is rescued and raised by Lagardere. Sixteen years pass and Aurore grows into a ravishing beauty (played by Marie Gillain), who has inherited her father's skill with a sword, and, controversially, developed more than just a daughterly love for her protector. Sworn to avenge the Duke's death and restore Aurore's rightful title, Lagardere undertakes a daring scheme of retribution and revenge, disguised as a hunchback. Like a great old novel (it's adapted from LE BOSSU by Paul Feval) the film grips one's attention firmly from beginning to end, with Auteuil a dashing Fairbanks-esque hero, Luchini a most hissable villain, and Gillain a damsel worth dying for. Sumptuous photography lovingly captures the epic sets and breathtaking outdoor locations without ever distracting from character, plot, or pace.