Jean De Florette (1986) DVD Details

Jean De Florette

French director Claude Berri's stunning adaptation of the acclaimed Marcel Pagnol novel is the winner of numerous international awards and is the world's most popular foreign language film ever. City-dweller Jean de Florette (Gerard Depardieu) moves his family to the Provence countryside in the 1920's to forge a new life as a farmer. But his proud, cocky neighboring rival Le Papet (Yves Montand) schemes with his simple-minded nephew Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil) to acquire some nearby land ensuring the novice owner never discovers an all-important natural spring on the property.

A wholly captivating, emotionally powerful and beautifully photographed classic epic of innocence, evil, greed, envy and revenge.

Starring	Yves Montand, Gerard Depardieu, Daniel Auteuil, Elisabeth Depardieu
Director	Claude Berri
Studio	PATHE DISTRIBUTION
Run time	DVD: 1 hr 56 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama, World Cinema
Language	DVD: French
Subtitles	DVD: English
Released	DVD: 27 Mar 2000 Production year: 1986

Critics' reviews (4) of Jean De Florette
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The first part of Claude Berri's adaptation of Marcel Pagnol's novel L'Eau des Collines is, quite simply, a tour de force. The screenplay (by Berri and Gérard Brach) is wholly cinematic, Bruno Nuytten's shimmering cinematography avoids mere pictorialism, while Berri's direction captures both the pace of the changing seasons and the unique atmosphere of Provence. The acting is also of the highest order. Gérard Depardieu is perhaps a little too insistent in asserting the worthiness of the hunchback, but Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil are outstanding as the scheming Soubeyrans. The sequel, Manon des Sources, was released later the same year.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Stunning performances and detailed depiction of Provençal farming life made it a wild success in France, repeated to a remarkable extent abroad.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful member's review of Jean De Florette
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74 out of 75 people found this review helpful

French Connection

The film with the Stella music that is oft quoted as the most popular foreign language film ever made ? and rightly so. Other than Nikita, this is probably the ... more

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- - A customer from Oxford
  - Posted 20 Sep 2003 15:58
Most recent members' review of Jean De Florette
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Breathtaking

Breathtaking- simple one of the best movies of all time. Watch it with subtitles. Don't see an English translation. Let the langauge flow over you - even if... more

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- - simon68 from south wales
  - Posted 22 Dec 2004 14:12
News and features
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Depardieu to retire
- 01 Nov 2005
The French star Gerard Depardieu who has become synonymous with his country's cinema has announced that he is to retire from the movie business. Depardieu, star of Jean De Florette and Cyrano De Bergerac, told said Le Parisien: "I have nothing to lose. I have made 170 films. I have nothing left to prove." Despite having a long career in France he probably first came to the attention of most British film goers in Peter Weir's romantic comedy Green Card starring alongside Andie... Read more