Babette's Feast [DVD]

The scenery, characters and script draw you in to another life. Hearing the language adds to the charm. Reading subtitles comes naturally with no distraction. Everyone I’ve shared it with has been blessed by the story of how a loving giving heart blesses all.

If you cook,If you enjoy savoring food,if you love food well presentedAndYou have experience deeply broken relationships, this movie will inspire you to invest in a healing solution around a communal table.

This film is masterfully written and performed. It beautifully plays out the losses incurred by elevating belief over reality and allowing it to dictate life decisions, and thereby missing out on living. It's a film i watch again and again. A favorite story.

I saw BABETTE'S FEAST many years ago at a foreign film festival in Washington DC. This classic film, which was based on a short story written by Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen will always remain indelibly memorable. I've seen the movie several times, and each time I come away with a deeper philosophical appreciation for the absolute beauty and poignancy of the storyline. Indeed, BABETTE'S FEAST is actually a repertoire of sorts; offering a powerful message about charity and selflessness, duty and honor, pride and humility, regret and sorrow, faith and forgiveness, and love and redemption.Two humble spinster sisters who live in a small coastal town in Denmark take in a woman who flees France to escape peril during the French Revolution. The sisters, Martina and Philippa were beautiful young women in their youth, and each gave up the chance for love from suitors - one a young cavalry officer, and one a famous French singer - and chose to remain loyal to their father. They lived the remainder of their lives in quiet surrender, servitude and sacrifice to carry on the deeply religious teachings of their deceased father who was considered the leader of their devout small religious sect. However, many decades later when Babette becomes part of the sisters household, subtle changes take place, which causes ambivalent feelings for Martina and Philippa.Sixteen years past quickly, when Babette wins a lottery and asks the sisters if she can prepare a genuine French meal for the 100th anniversary celebration dinner honoring the birth of their late father. After giving their permission, Martina and Philippa are perplexed by Babette's extravagance and the items she has shipped from France to use in preparation for the meal. Now horrified, the sisters become haunted by fears that decadence will descend upon them and their small religious sect. Yet, they can not go back on their promise to allow Babette to prepare this important meal. All the followers of the sister's religious sect are invited, and all have feelings of deep apprehension.The evening finally arrives, and the small sect join hands in prayer and vow that they will resist whatever beguiling temptations might seduce them to sin. The announcement for dinner is called. But instead of fear, as the meal is served the mood is soon changed to that of suspended awe. Indeed, the grand 'feast' that Babette prepares, becomes both a startling revelation and a powerful redemption for all who attend ... including the high ranking officer who was once the suitor of Martina.I disagree with those who categorize this movie as a Christian message. Rather, it's a story with a philosophical message that examines timeless issues about man's search for meaning, purpose, and ... salvation.If you've not done so already, I recommend that you include BABETTE'S FEAST in your DVD collection.Maizie Lucille JamesJuly 12, 2010

Babette's Feast is by Danish director Gabriel Axel, and tells the story of a French woman named Babette (played by Stephane Audran) who shows up one night on the doorstep of two spinster sisters living in far away Jutland toward the end of the 19th century. Since the passing of their revered pastor father, it is all the two women can do to keep his bickering flock together. They agree to take in Babette and make her their housekeeper, and for twenty years she serves them faithfully. Then one day she surprises the sisters by announcing that she has won the French national lottery: 10,000 francs. To show her gratitude to them, and to celebrate the upcoming anniversary of their father's passing, Babette asks to be allowed to prepare a real French meal for the sisters and their guests. They agree, and she sends away to France for the ingredients.When Babette's nephew returns with all the preparations for the meal, the plain people of the town, who have never seen such things as sea turtles and quails, suspect that she's a witch, and decide they will make no comments about the food during the meal, lest they enjoy it and become bewitched. The night of the feast is spectacular. Never have any of them tasted such divinity. One of the guests, a General who once courted one of the sisters and is still in love with her, comments about how the food tastes just like the delicacies he once enjoyed at a very famous Parisian restaurant which boasted a lady chef. Miraculously, Babette's feast heals all wounds among the pastor's congregation, and confirms the love the General has always harbored for the sister, and she for him. A very beautiful scene is the congregation outside after the feast with hands joined in a circle, singing under the stars.Afterwards, the two sisters comment that they suppose Babette will now return to France. "I have no one there anymore," she tells them. "Besides, I have no money to return." "But the 10,000 francs you won!" they contend. Then Babette confesses that she was the famous female chef to which the General eluded, and that a meal at her restaurant for that number of people would have cost exactly 10,000 francs. This is a wonderful, beautiful film that is an allegory of the Lord's Supper, and an example of God's grace and love. If you like food, you will love every delicious detail of the feast. The film is subtitled for English, but also includes a dubbed version which I would not recommend because I think the film loses much through it. Endure the subtitles - it will be worth it. Babette's Feast, which is based on a novel by Karen Blixen, won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Foreign Film, plus ten other awards.

OK, I appreciate it has none of the current themes, fast pacing or added effects that modern movies incorporate (often getting in the way of good story). This is a simple tale told so beautifully, with humor and poignancy. Simplistic at first, maybe a little clunky too but the story and characters build towards the feast and it's affect upon them all. It's a tale not about greed, but service, love and gratitude. I was reminded of this film when I watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire. It's in my top five list - and I've watched a lot of movies.

An absolute delight ! Watched this again for the first time in 7 years and the joy and the wonder and the love of it blossomed with a greater fullness that only actual experience allows.It takes its own sweet gentle time and builds beautifully.If the next 7 years of life bring me back to the heart of this great film once again I will be fortunate indeed.

As far from marvel movies as it is imaginable to go.Gentle thoughtful still almost but ful of small gestures and reactions that touch the heart and lift the spirit.A tale of two compassionate sisters who take in a penniless refugee not knowing what delight awaits them. A story of open hearted charity and gratitude.Warning - may result in tears.

A fascinating look at the Christian religion in Denmark in the early 1900's ans seeing the way that someone coming from a different country and background can profoundly change opinions and people's relationships with one another in a small community. Extremely thought provoking and not at all surprising that it one so many film awards

This is one of my all time most favourable films. So enjoyable I can watch it again and again.Beautifully acted, funny, charming.All the characters, set in a remote small Danish fishing village, are beautifully observed and portrayed.This period film makes you feel so good! Total perfection!