Tartuffe on AllMovie

Directed and adapted by Gérard Depardieu, this version of Tartuffe brings no innovative cinematic flair to the story of an outrageous and daring imposter who passes himself off as a haughty, pious priest (Tartuffe, also played by Depardieu), in order to gain access to the fortune and properties -- and daughter -- of the gullible merchant Orgon (François Périer). Molière's play was equally daring for its time and was actually banned for five years until he adjusted the ending to give Tartuffe his comeuppance and placate the French clergy in the process. Depardieu should have taken the lead of Molière and displayed more creative bravado at the helm.