Based on the novel by Stendhal (Henri Beyle, 1783-1842), The Red and the Black tells the story of Julien Sorel, a talented and ambitious young peasant. Sorel manages to cynically and hypocritically manipulate those around him to gain a position as a secretary with a prominent Marquis--and to seduce his employer's beautiful daughter, Mathilde. But he doesn't love Mathilde--doesn't love anyone, really--and when he murders another woman with whom he's had an affair, the law inexorably grinds him in its gears. He refuses the assistance of his "wife, " and proudly goes to his rendezvous with La Guillotine. His death, after all, is the only real protest he can make! First-rate drama by a master playwright.