From Animage September 1980
The Rose of Versailles
On the night of passionate vows
The script took 3 weeks to finalize
Oscar and Andre have finally united. Their shocking love scene will become one of the biggest highlights of The Rose of Versailles (ep. 37).
The production staff put forth a great amount of effort to create this scene. In order to build the plot, they held four meetings and went through multiple drafts. There were even three rewrites of the script.
Usually the planning stage for a 30 minute program is only one week, this episode however, took almost three weeks to complete. The staff in charge of completing the episode, did so by telephone.
The TV anime version of The Rose of Versailles has established its own story continuity, distinctly different from the original manga, this is maintained through episode 37.
Included in our magazines' reveal of the anime's first love scene are comments from the production staff.
Hearts pounding, finally becoming one!!
Love is fulfilled. The moonlight, the flickering of fireflies, and the flow of the Milky Way form a romantic atmosphere. The part that cuts back and forth between the flicking fireflies and the characters faces, is particularly good. The theme song plays during the scene. The beautiful imagery, music and dialog combine to create a fantasy world.
This part was the biggest struggle!!!!
We asked the production staff what they found the most difficult about this scene:
Kazuyuki Honma, Script Editor
"This love scene is an important and essential scene in ‘The Rose of Versailles’. It is the moment when Oscar, an aristocrat, and André, a commoner, become one. That is to say, for Oscar, it means giving up her noble status.
Before they unite, there is psychological foreshadowing laid out for them. One is that André’s eyesight has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer even see Oscar’s face, and Oscar has also realized this. The other is the Oscar is suffering from an illness in her lungs, and has been told by the doctor there is no hope of recovery. The love scene is this moment where two people, despite their hopeless situations, decide to unite with positive resolve. "
Keiko Sugie, Scriptwriter
"The events leading up to the love scene have been significantly changed from the original work.
In the original work Oscar invites André to her bedroom right? She says ‘André, come to my room later…’ and 'Tonight... I want to spend one night with you...'. But this was difficult. The original work has its own merits, but this makes it look like a wealthy young lady is luring a servant into her bedroom.
So what I thought about the most when working on this scene was the progression of Oscar’s emotions. We have known for quite some time André's feelings and desire for Oscar.
So how does Oscar, as a woman, become impassioned? Particularly as the woman is initiating, because of their nature, there has to be some sort of intense emotion involved. There needs to be an intense passion that grows from within.
So, it was decided that we change the setting of the love scene, which in the original was Oscar's bedroom, to the outskirts of Paris. André gets caught up in one of the people's riots, and recusing him is the direct catalyst for the love scene. At this moment Oscar forgets her position as commander of the Guards and rushes into the crowd. The scene represents Oscar throwing herself headlong into her love for André.
After this, these two lovers are prepared to sacrifice their lives. Both they and the audience know there is no future left for them. Because of that I was able to have peace of mind and didn't have to worry about what came afterward."
Shingo Araki, Animation Director
"For the nude scene, we showed the curves of the bodies in silhouette, to avoided being too revealing. The fireflies give off a faint glow and the animation was made to move in slow motion. The close up shots of their two faces are especially beautiful, and made to capture the beauty of the feelings in their hearts.
Those would be the main points of focus. It is the first time in animation a love scene features two fully nude people embracing. But the imagery isn't overtly shocking and we were able to depict it as part of the natural course of the story. That is to say, I hope it will be understood that this union is a visual expression of Oscar and André's emotional journey."
Osamu Dezaki, Head Director
"Even if I am asked why fireflies flutter about and the Milky Way appears...This scene is after all just another moment in the story. All I can say is that I tried to build up Oscar and André’s emotions so they could become emotionally connected.
Talking about it before people have seen it is nothing but theoretical, so please just watch it yourself.
If you don't think it turned out well, all I can say is, I am sorry."
Buried in the hay, Oscar quietly gazes at André's face. A single tear trails down her cheek. André’s fingers trace Oscar’s face.
Oscar: André… I… I... will go on living…....
Oscar: I will be your eyes...and as long as I live, we will always be together....
André: That's right. As long as I live, everything I have is yours. I will give you everything, my love, my dreams, my strength and tenderness...
Oscar jumps to her feet, extending her left hand to the sunlight streaming through the window, she pulls a ring from her finger.
Oscar: From now on I cast aside my rank....I will stand on the same footing as you, as equals....
André: ……What do you mean!?!!
Oscar: I am not longer a noble...I am a commoner, just like you....
Oscar clings tightly to André's body.
Oscar: Oh, André, André…… my beloved husband.....
*The streets of Paris, around Rue Tambour
By candlelight, four or five poor looking men are tending to their weapons. Rusty spears and swords, homemade slingshots and what appear to be hand grenades. Everyone stands in silence, their eyes gleaming.
*The Palace of Versailles, The Bedchamber
Antoinette is asleep in bed beneath a canopy. Louis XVI is snoring in the bedroom next door.
*The Jarjayes Mansion, Bedroom
General de Jarjayes sits in a chair, his eyes closed and his head bowed. The nanny is asleep in the attic.
Alain, François, Lasalle and Jules sleeping in hammocks.
Bernard and Rosalie sleeping in twin beds.
Robespierre sleeping on a blanket on the floor alongside several citizens.
Saint Just sleeps curled up like a prawn, clutching a pistol in his right hand.
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