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Jefferson in Paris

Jefferson in Paris

A powerful man torn between his love for one woman and his secret desire for another.

19955.02h 19m

Overview

His wife having recently died, Thomas Jefferson accepts the post of United States ambassador to pre-revolutionary France, though he finds it difficult to adjust to life in a country where the aristocracy subjugates an increasingly restless peasantry. In Paris, he becomes smitten with cultured artist Maria Cosway, but, when his daughter visits from Virginia accompanied by her attractive slave, Sally Hemings, Jefferson's attentions are diverted.

Directed by James Ivory
Written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Produced by Ismail Merchant
Box OfficeBudget: $14.0MRevenue: $2.5M

Top Cast

Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte

Thomas Jefferson

Greta Scacchi

Greta Scacchi

Maria Cosway

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton

Sally Hemings

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow

Patsy Jefferson

Jean-Pierre Aumont

Jean-Pierre Aumont

D'Hancarville

Simon Callow

Simon Callow

Richard Cosway

Seth Gilliam

Seth Gilliam

James Hemings

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones

Madison Hemings

Michael Lonsdale

Michael Lonsdale

Louis XVI

Nancy Marchand

Nancy Marchand

Madame Abbesse

Themes & Keywords

ambassadorfranceparis, francerevolutionbiographyversaillespresident18th centurythomas jefferson

About Jefferson in Paris

Jefferson in Paris is a drama, romance, history film released in 1995 exploring themes of ambassador, france, paris, france, revolution, biography, versailles. Directed by James Ivory, it stars Nick Nolte, Greta Scacchi, Thandiwe Newton. His wife having recently died, Thomas Jefferson accepts the post of United States ambassador to pre-revolutionary France, though he finds it difficult to adjust to life in a country where the aristocracy subjugates an increasingly restless peasantry. In Paris, he becomes smitten with cultured artist Maria Cosway, but, when his daughter visits from Virginia accompanied by her attractive slave, Sally Hemings, Jefferson's attentions are diverted.

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