Beaumarchais L'Insolent (1996, France)

Costume drama set in the court of Louis XV in France; Beaumarchais is sent to England as a spy to meet up with a fellow French agent, who may be a man or a woman, it doesn't matter. But, gasp, when he is introduced to the Chevalier d'Éon, a male title, she is actually a beautiful woman [left in the picture]. There is a bit of the usual business, "Do you think I am a man or a woman" and all that. Nothing more is made of it in the film.

The Chevalier d'Éon, also known as Beaumont, is the earliest recorded male to female crossdresser so far as I know, and is certainly a real historical character, after whom the Beaumont Society is named. In the film, the character is played by a female actress, Claire Nebout.

The film is usually called "Beaumarchais the Scoundrel" in English and is easily obtainable dubbed into American English.

HF November 2000

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