The Hour of the Pig
The Hour of the Pig is a 1993 British-French historical drama film written and directed by Leslie Megahey for BBC production.[1][2] Set in 15th-century rural France, it follows idealistic Parisian lawyer Richard Courtois, portrayed by Colin Firth, who relocates to a remote village and becomes entangled in a bizarre trial where a sow stands accused of murdering a young boy, amid themes of medieval justice, superstition, religious fervor, and political intrigue.[1][2] The film features a supporting cast including Ian Holm as the village lord, Donald Pleasence as a priest, and Amina Annabi as a Romani woman involved in the unfolding events.[2][3] Originally titled The Hour of the Pig in the United Kingdom, the film premiered on 21 January 1994 and blends elements of courtroom satire, mystery, and dark comedy to critique the absurdities of feudal law and societal norms.[1] In the United States, it was retitled The Advocate and distributed by Miramax, with reported editorial cuts influencing its presentation.[2] Though commercially obscure, the film has garnered appreciation for its atmospheric depiction of medieval life, sharp dialogue, and Firth's early lead performance, earning positive critical notes for its intellectual depth and historical flavor despite limited mainstream exposure.[4][5]Overview
Background and Premise
The Hour of the Pig is set against the historical backdrop of medieval European animal trials, a practice particularly prevalent in France from the 13th to 17th centuries, where animals were formally prosecuted for crimes including murder and property damage. Pigs were the most commonly tried offenders, often accused of infanticide due to their access to households and perceived voraciousness; for example, in 1386 at Falaise, a sow was hanged for killing a child, while her piglets were acquitted for lack of direct evidence of involvement. These proceedings followed human legal protocols, with animals imprisoned, provided advocates or prosecutors, and punished publicly—typically by hanging after being dressed in clerical robes to denote criminality—reflecting contemporary beliefs in animals' capacity for sin or demonic influence.[6][7] Secular and ecclesiastical courts handled such cases, as documented in regional archives, underscoring the era's fusion of theology, law, and superstition in attributing moral agency to beasts.[8] The film's premise unfolds in late 15th-century rural France, where Parisian lawyer Richard Courtois relocates to the village of Abbeville seeking respite from urban corruption but inherits the defense of a sow owned by a gypsy, charged with the murder of a young boy.[1][9] This ostensibly absurd trial exposes Courtois to entrenched local hierarchies, including a manipulative lord, a zealous prosecutor, and intertwined religious and feudal tensions, forcing him to navigate superstition-driven justice amid broader societal frailties.[2] Through this central case, the narrative probes the boundaries of rationality and legality in a pre-modern world, where human and animal culpability blur under customary law.[10]Cast and Crew
Leslie Megahey directed and wrote The Hour of the Pig, a 1993 British-French period drama produced in association with the BBC.[1][11] Megahey, an Irish-born filmmaker known for BBC documentaries and adaptations, crafted the screenplay to explore themes of medieval justice through a lawyer defending an accused pig.[9] Production was overseen by David M. Thompson and Dave Edwards, with Thompson serving as the primary producer under BBC Films.[1][12] The principal cast was led by Colin Firth in the central role of Richard Courtois, a Parisian lawyer who relocates to a rural French village to handle a bizarre animal trial.[9][13] Firth, then emerging from roles in Apartment Zero (1988), delivered a performance noted for its intellectual intensity amid the film's satirical elements.[11] Ian Holm portrayed Albertus, the erudite village magistrate, bringing gravitas from his stage and screen background including Chariots of Fire (1981).[13][14] Donald Pleasence played Pincheon, the film's inquisitor figure, in one of his final roles before his death in 1995, characterized by his distinctive intensity honed in horror and dramatic works like Halloween (1978).[9][11] Supporting roles included Amina Annabi as the Gypsy Miriam, introducing romantic and cultural tensions; Nicol Williamson as the boorish landowner Seigneur Jehan d'Auferre; Michael Gough as the Judge; Sophie Dix as another key female character; Harriet Walter; and Jim Carter.[11][15] These actors, drawn from British theater and film circuits, contributed to the ensemble's authenticity in depicting 15th-century French provincial life.[14]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Colin Firth | Richard Courtois |
| Ian Holm | Albertus |
| Donald Pleasence | Pincheon |
| Amina Annabi | Miriam |
| Nicol Williamson | Seigneur Jehan d'Auferre |
| Michael Gough | Judge |