Chouans! (1988)
Directed by Philippe de Broca

Film Synopsis

The Count Savinien de Kerfadec is a Breton aristocrat who is so devoted to his dream of building a flying machine that he scarcely notices the revolutionary sentiment that is sweeping his country.  On the tragic night that his beloved wife dies whilst giving birth to his first son, Aurèle, the count comes across an abandoned baby girl and decides to adopt her as his own, calling her Céline.  Not long afterwards, he takes under his wing another child, a boy named Tarquin.  As the three children grow up in his care, the count makes every effort to instil in them his own values of tolerance and open-mindedness.   The one thing the count cannot prevent is Aurèle and Tarquin becoming rivals for the beautiful Céline.

With the coming of the Revolution, the half-brothers find themselves on opposing sides, and they become bitter enemies.  Now a zealous republican, Tarquin throws himself wholeheartedly into the revolutionary cause.  Meanwhile, Aurèle aligns himself with the monarchists and supports the Chouons in their uprising against the Revolution, whilst his father tries to distance himself from the conflict.  As a bloody civil war engulfs Brittany, Tarquin and Aurèle continue their private feud.  Disgusted by the barbarous behaviour of the republicans, Céline sides with Aurèle.  When his adopted daughter is captured by his enemies, the count enlists his son's help in a brave but foolhardy attempt to rescue her...