Josée Dayan

Gerard Depardieu Collection Josée Dayan

A collection of films and TV series starring French actor Gérard Depardieu. 'The Count of Monte Cristo' (1998) is a French TV mini-series adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' celebrated novel, which follows the adventures of Edmond Dantès (Depardieu), a rich, ruthless and suave purveyor of homemade justice. The production, which was filmed at locations all over Europe, is both lavish and immensely detailed, having the distinction of being the first filmed version of the newly-restored unabridged version of Dumas' classic, which runs to some 800 pages.

'Trop Belle Pour Toi' (1989) is a comedy of modern manners directed by Bertrand Blier. Depardieu plays a successful businessman with a beautiful wife who finds himself uncontrollably attracted to his older, somewhat dowdy and overweight secretary. 'The Return of Martin Guerre' (1982) is based on a true story which took place in rural France in the sixteenth century.

Depardieu stars as a young man who returns to his wife and native village after nine years of disappearance, apparently at war. Although much changed from the quiet young man who left, he is readily accepted back, particularly by his wife. However, when he starts to have memory lapses and and fails to recognise people, accusations fly - and the question of inheritance arises.

He then comes under suspicion of being an impostor - is he the real Martin Guerre? The magistrate and court will have to decide. 'Les Miserables' (2000) is a two-part US mini-series adapted from the French classic by Victor Hugo. Set against the turbulent background of the French Revolution, the story centres on Jean Valjean (Depardieu), a former petty thief and convict, who makes good after a bishop gives him a helping hand and becomes a businessman and leading civic figure.

But his past comes back to haunt him in the guise of Javert (John Malkovich), former prison guard at the jail where Valjean was incarcerated, and now Chief of Police in the town where Valjean lives. Javert's determination to bring Valjean down consumes both men's lives, leading to a dramatic final confrontation on the revolution-torn streets of Paris.