Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) Resources

WEBSITES

The Play's the Thing

Jason Cowley discusses the novel and its many adaptations.

Britannica Dangereuse

The Encyclopedia Britannica entry on the novel.

MOVIE OR TV PRODUCTIONS

Malkovich, Pfeiffer, and Close

The best-known English movie adaptation, written by Christopher Hampton based on his play.

Valmont

Milos Forman's film starring Colin Firth and Annette Bening.

The Marquise de Buffy

Roger Kumble set the story in modern America for his film version, Cruel Intentions. Stars Buffy, aka Sarah Michelle Geller. Come to think of it, Valmont is a lot like a vampire.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Valmont

A film adaptation set in Shanghai.

The French Reclaim their Story

The novel was made into a miniseries for French television.

VIDEO

Dangerous Chinese Liaisons

Here's a YouTube version of the modern Chinese adaptation, for all you Shmoopers who learned Mandarin from Mark Zuckerberg.

What Goes Around, Etc.

The Marquise de Merteuil gets what she deserves in this scene. We want to cheer.

Mean Girls (and Boys)

Someone thought this story would be relatable today. Here's the trailer for Cruel Intentions.

IMAGES

Before the Kindle Version

A first edition of the novel owned by the King of France.

A Portrait of the Author with a Powdered Wig

Never leave home without it.

The Seduction

Valmont sneaking into Cécile's room. 1796 illustration by Marguerite Gérard.

Lady Killer

Cover illustration by Aubrey Beardsley from an 1896 printing of the novel. Ewww.

Who's the Creepiest Valmont: Alan Rickman vs. John Malkovich

Take our poll. Alan Rickman vs. John Malkovich

French Aristocrats

What they looked like before and after the Revolution.