Marquis de Sade (played by Keir Dullea) is a protagonist in De Sade.
The central protagonist who escapes prison to arrive at La Coste. A staged play triggers flashbacks to his youth, revealing his controversial marriages, orgies, imprisonments, and philosophical justifications. He pursues Anne, flees to Italy, returns to prison, and faces a mock trial. The mysterious old man haunting him is revealed to be his older self, reviewing memories to find reality before dying in prison. Renée de Montreuil (played by Anna Massey) appears in De Sade.
The older sister whom Louis reluctantly marries under threat of imprisonment. She is portrayed as frightened and emotionally distant. In his later years, Louis discusses their shared misfortunes and regrets with her, admitting life's lack of meaning. She also appears as a haunting vision during his revelries and is the figure the dying old man seeks to forgive him. La Beauvoisin (played by Sonja Ziemann) appears in De Sade.
An actress with whom Louis begins a romantic liaison after Anne is sent to a convent. He constructs a private theater at La Coste specifically for her performances. Marquis' Mother (played by Susanne von Almassy) appears in De Sade.
Appears in a theatrical parody watched at the castle, where she is depicted haggling with Monsieur Montreuil over the prospective marriage of their children, triggering a flashback to the actual negotiations. Marquis' Father (played by Friedrich Schoenfelder) appears in De Sade.
Depicted in a theatrical parody haggling over marriage negotiations. His death is referenced later in a series of flashbacks that explore the Marquis's formative years and psychological origins.
De Sade (1969) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Marquis de Sade
(played by Keir Dullea) — protagonist
The central protagonist who escapes prison to arrive at La Coste. A staged play triggers flashbacks to his youth, revealing his controversial marriages, orgies, imprisonments, and philosophical justif...
Renée de Montreuil
(played by Anna Massey) — supporting
The older sister whom Louis reluctantly marries under threat of imprisonment. She is portrayed as frightened and emotionally distant. In his later years, Louis discusses their shared misfortunes and r...
La Beauvoisin
(played by Sonja Ziemann) — supporting
An actress with whom Louis begins a romantic liaison after Anne is sent to a convent. He constructs a private theater at La Coste specifically for her performances.
Marquis' Mother
(played by Susanne von Almassy) — supporting
Appears in a theatrical parody watched at the castle, where she is depicted haggling with Monsieur Montreuil over the prospective marriage of their children, triggering a flashback to the actual negot...
Marquis' Father
(played by Friedrich Schoenfelder) — supporting
Depicted in a theatrical parody haggling over marriage negotiations. His death is referenced later in a series of flashbacks that explore the Marquis's formative years and psychological origins.
Key Relationships
Marquis' Father → Marquis de Sade
(father)
Marquis' Mother → Marquis de Sade
(mother)
Renée de Montreuil → La Beauvoisin
(Conflict Rival)
Marquis de Sade → Marquis de Sade
(Meta Inner Self)
Marquis de Sade → La Beauvoisin
(Romantic Lover)
Marquis de Sade → Renée de Montreuil
(Family Husband)
Story Analysis
A psychological exploration of a libertine's life, structured through theatrical framing and memory-driven flashbacks.
Plot Progression
The Theatrical Return
Libertine Escapades
Imprisonment and Visions
The Mirror of Self
Directed by Cy Endfield, Roger Corman
De Sade (1969) · 3.4/10 · drama, history, thriller
