Rating: 
Summary: Artistic Passion Suppressed
Review: This is such a beautiful little film from the bleak opening scenes of a windswept Danish fishing village to the delectable final scene of Babette's masterful <<diner francais>>. The most well-known sequence of the film is Babette's dinner preparations - her deft and loving handling of luscious gourmet fare. But this movie is also filled with amusing contrasts and the difficult choices certain characters must make between offering their incomparable talents to the world or laying them to rest in their quiet village. What makes these choices even more heart-rending is the quiet resignation and dignity of each of the characters.We are introduced to the spartan lives of a small religious circle led by a stern but gentle minister. His two attractive young daughters are quietly devoted to him and are each tested by temptations of the world beyond the village. In one instance, the musically-gifted daughter is discovered by a famous musician and given voice lessons in which even her scales are angelically sung. She sings the "temptation scene" from Mozart's Don Giovanni (La ci darem la mano) with her worldly music teacher - it was cleverly done and quite lovely. The years pass, and by request of the musician, the elderly sisters take in a mysterious Parisian refugee, Babette, who has a knack for making even ale-bread palatable. The most remarkable segment of the film follows Babette's first and only request to prepare an anniversary dinner in memory of the deceased minister. Thanks to the invitation of an important last minute guest, her artistic "signature" is recognized and truly appreciated. Amidst the ordinary, pious religious members, this guest savors with surprise the delectable dishes (turtle soup, blini Demidoff with caviar, quail with truffle) and finest wines (Veuve Cliquot, Amontillado, Clos Vougeot!) offered to him in a little white-washed village cottage. This dinner scene has numerous subtle nuances that can only be picked up by seeing it many times. Highly recommended for a cold winter night's viewing prior to indulging in a gourmet meal!
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasures of Life
Review: If you are a fan of foreign films, this is a French Classic for the patient viewer who wants to view life from a spiritual perspective. In this movie, the members of a church, seem to have chosen a very simple existence. Bread and Ale are common fare and a real French dinner seems sinful to them. There are many scenes of singing hymns and living a simple life. The main story revolves around two women who instead of finding love and a life of their own, choose to stay with their father and help him in his ministry. Even after their father has moved on to eternity, they are consumed with charitable work and never start their own families. One year, a lady from France is sent to find them to seek refuge from certain death in Paris. Babette suppresses her own desires and cooks what the two women want until one day she wins the lottery and asks them if she can cook dinner for what would have been their father's 100th birthday. They grant her this wish and then soon feel regret and even fear that they will be punished for experiencing such pleasure. What happens next surprises us all. I don't want to spoil a single minute, but there
are some really funny lines near the end. This movie has a subtle charm of its own. Oh, to have been Babette!
What fun she had making others happy.
What a beautiful spirit she portrays. A profound statement of human kindness. This movie will leave you with a sense of peace and purpose. It will change the way you think about life.
Rating:
Summary: Food was never better in a movie
Review: This movie is a glorious affirmation of life and food. The dinner prepared by Babette changes the lives of all
the characters there. The sheer pleasure of food is right
there on the screen. As is the pleasure of companionship
and love that the dinner also provides. This is a wonderful movie and I always like to be able
to say this - no one gets shot.
Rating:
Summary: A richly contemplative and theological film.
Review: I viewed this film for the third or fourth time recently with my faculty colleagues of Denver Seminary. It generated a rich discussion afterward. I had not seen it for over ten years, but I was immediately captivated by its nuance, symbolism, and beauty. I hope to show it my students some time this year.
The film explores the meaning of Christian existence, the relationship of asceticism and the aesthetic, reconciliation, forgiveness, and, most of all, God's grace in its manifold forms and dimensions. I found it deeply moving without being sentimental or maudlin.
The scenes move at a calm pace, very unlike American "action" movies that sacrifice plot and character for the sake of special effects. One must attend to this film to receive its graces. As C.S. Lewis put it, the film must be "received" (carefully observed for what it is, so it may act on us) rather than "used" (employed to "kill time" or achieve some predetermined end). It should be viewed several times, preferably in a setting where one can discuss it with thoughtful people. It may touch the soul.
--Douglas Groothuis
Rating:
Summary: Babette's Feast is a little bit of heaven here on earth.
Review: Babette's Feast demonstrates one advantage the motion picture has over all other art forms. As the feast that gives the film its name progresses, we watch the reaction of each of the guests at the table to each new culinary delight served by the chef, Babette. These rough and common folk have been taught that heaven should be the focus of their lives, not the pleasures of this world, and they learn at this feast the lesson of Saint Francis that God's gifts are meant to be enjoyed in the here and now. At first the guests doubt themselves. Can food really be this good? As each dish is served we watch with utter delight ourselves as they realize that a bit of heaven has been served up to them free of charge in this world. Additionally, something more profound occurs. The love Babette puts in to her gift of this banquet to repay the two sisters who take her in to their home when she was in need of help repairs old wounds and annimosities and the people at the table learn that forgiveness, like good food, is something to be practiced and shared in this world. Babette's Feast is a film to be viewed more tnan once. I loved it the first time I saw it and had a deeper appreciation of it the second time around. For those viewers who want to watch an excellent variation of this Western European classic, I also recommend highly Ang Lee's superb film, Eat Drink Man Woman.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoy the pace, don't fight it!
Review: To be brief--one of the more atmospheric movies I have ever seen. Saw it ten years ago and loved it, and that hasn't changed. The patience required to get through the initial 30 minutes is well rewarded in the end. A testament to the strength of the story upon which it was based, and the director's vision in bringing it alive. A must for all lovers of "food movies" in the sense that food is one of the great passions of life!
Rating: 
Summary: Slow as molasses
Review: This movie would have made a nice 30 minute short film. The final 30 minutes showing the "feast" is somewhat entertaining but the 70 minutes leading up to it will put you to sleep.
Rating:
Summary: To be savored
Review: The first time I saw the film in the late 80's I did so because I have a sister named Babette. Then I started watching this small gem and discovered a lovely story of two worlds, one French and One Danish. One was a world of older, pious or shall I say devoute' believers. The other world was the one of the young French woman who seeks solice and work, and finds both in this quiet if staid community. The older people reminded me a great deal of the Shakers and even some Amish and local Quakers I know. Simple living and no showing off types. Then the young woman is surprised to discover that she has won the French lottery and rather than simply keep the money and save or spend it on herself, she sets out to help the others celebrate not only a passage in life, but also the bounty that life offers. And being French she knows that food is a gift that God gives and she wants these souls to experience food that they have never had before. Not the simple food their astere' religion etc teaches, but much more. So she buys the best ingredients and sets about to prepare a feast. And when done and served the elders discover that they indeed have had a gift from God and that food can indeed be a communal experience that is thought provoking as well as healing in many respects. Nourriture pour les yeux et les oreilles i.e. Food for the eyes and ears. Being an avid cook I always enjoy the sites and sounds of food be prepared, and then savored. This movie fits the bill, and many people who thought they wouldnt like it, ended up being hooked, including ALL the men in my family.
Rating:
Summary: Sensual Food
Review: Wonderful movie with low budget about love, sensuality, friendship, kindness against suffocating opression of the religion and puritanity. Mozart aria from Don Giovanni fits perfectly the theme of this marvelous movie. It makes a person to think twice about the life paths and decisions and most of it, it's full with hope. To enjoy and remember !!!!
Rating:
Summary: AN EXQUISITE MOVIE THAT GREATLY BENEFITS FROM DVD!
Review: I don't think I can add any more information about the wonderful story itself in light of all the superlative reviews found here. If you've seen it, you know it's a classic that is definitely worth owning, to be viewed and enjoyed repeatedly. If you've never seen Babette's Feast, you owe it to yourself to see it and find out what people mean when they say they experience a film. Yes, it's that good and that powerful. And the best part of it all: no guns, no explosions, no sex, no vulgarity. The DVD is, without a doubt, THE format for this movie. The print has been considerably cleaned up and brightened. What a difference with my "old" fuzzy VHS copy! The widescreen format benefits this film tremendously. The sound is crisp and even, with no sudden drops or surges in volume. The DVD offers three language tracks: the original Danish/French, English, and Spanish. I personally recommend that you keep the Danish/French track with English subtitles. It's the only real way to convey the full meaning and emotions of the story. Avoid the English track at all costs: it's unbelievably bland and emotionless (thereby removing any and all subtleties and charm from this superb story) and it's muffled. I did not check out the Spanish track. Worth much more than "just" 5 stars!
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