In the 16th century in the Cévennes, a horse dealer by the name of Michael Kohlhaas leads a happy and prosperous family life. When a lord treats him unjustly, this pious, upstanding man raises an army and puts the country to fire and sword in order to have his rights restored.
This muted approach robs the film of sorely needed momentum, but offers a rare opportunity for contemplation, a trade-off that only occasionally satisfies.
– Rob Staeger,
Village Voice,
27 May 2014
rotten:
It's a strong story of lonely, even futile righteousness, which makes the plodding execution by director Arnaud des Pallieres somewhat mystifying.
– Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2014
rotten:
The severely beautiful film is painted in a dauntingly austere manner, as if lost in a war against itself, with confrontations underplayed and the rural landscapes making more of an impression than the detoured drama.
– Nicolas Rapold,
New York Times,
29 May 2014
fresh:
It can be quite powerful on the rare occasions when it allows raw emotion to make its way to the surface.
– Mike D'Angelo,
AV Club,
5 Jun 2014
fresh:
The film is almost monotonously somber, though not in a bad way -- when it erupts into violence or settles briefly into moments of intimacy, the shift in tone can be surprising, even invigorating.