By the 1950s, there were no Comtes or Viscomtes or any titled gentry in France. So why is the Alfred Molina character a Comte? Was it ever explained? I assume it was more of an honourary title, but even then, why would the villagers persist in calling the mayor Comte almost 90 years after the abolition of the French monarchy?
shareIt's probably meant to have a symbolic meaning as Lansquenet-sous-Tannes was very secluded and focused on/stuck in the past.
shareHe's got such a big stick up his butt, he probably insists that they call him Comte. Because it was his family's title. Even just looking at how formal his house and manners are. He's the one who is stuck in the past.
sharewhere do you get the idea there are no titled gentry in France?????
Some were killed in the french revolution, some fled to other countries, but certainly not all of them.
There are counts in France, believe me
I don't know where the OP got his/her information, but it's completely wrong. Author Ted Morgan was born the Comte de Gramont, a title that had been in his family for many years. He became an American citizen, renounced his title, and changed his name to Ted Morgan, a remix of the letters from his original family name, de Gramont. And there are thousands of people living in France bearing hereditary titles like Duke, Marquis, Comte, Vicomte, Baron and Chevalier. OP, epic fail!
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