'All’s fair in love and war in Jacques Rivette’s threateningly titled DON'T TOUCH THE AXE... expertly depicts the jousting courtship of an ill-fated love affair between a Parisian socialite and a Napoleonic war hero the veteran New Wave director’s return to his be- loved Honore de Balzac...' - Russell Edwards, VARIETY 'Surprisingly faithful adaptation of Balzac’s novel…two commanding lead performances set the air buzzing with passion. Anyone susceptible to literary costume drama will be bowled over... a veteran director enjoying a period of mature mastery' - Jonathan Romney, SCREEN INTERNATIONAL 'Rivette’s compelling period drama... Guillaume Depardieu is utterly compelling...' - James Christopher, THE TIMES 'His adaptation of Balzac’s ‘La Duchesse de Langeais’ crackles with menace... this maddening dance of seduction... Rivette, who can turn a salon into a battlefield...' - Joan Dupont, HERALD TRIBUNE 'Catches the tone of the novelist better than any other screen attempt... majestically commanding lead performances... Depardieu is touching…one of French cinema’s enduring greats' - Jonathan Romney, LONDON FILM FESTIVAL LFF critics’ choice 'This period chamber-piece is a late masterpiece from Rivette' - TIME OUT 'Arguably a masterpiece... a surprisingly straightforward affair... An extraordinarily subtle film... The superb leads receive lovely support compelling from start to end' - Geoff Andrew, TIME OUT