This epic tale, split over two films but most rewarding viewed as one, was among the most successful foreign-language films of the twentieth century. It’s rightfully so, too. With spectacular acting and a superb script adapted from Marcel Pagnol’s novel.
Following the death of Florette, who ran neighbouring land, Cesar (Yves Montard) and his nephew Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil) block up the water source to make sure that Florette’s son (Gérard Depardieu) would fail in his attempt to grow on the land. When this succeeds, they purchase the land cheap and re-open the well. Cesar’s daughter, Manon (Emmanuelle Béart) plans her revenge in the second film.
Both films are deeply moving, occasionally dramatic, and ultimately completely heart-breaking. Director Claude Berri and cinematographer Bruno Nuytten fill the screen with the sumptuous scenery and tell the tale of jealously, bitterness, and tragedy faultlessly. We’re drawn into the plight of Jean, and in the second film, relish the retribution of Manon. It’s a powerful story that is timeless in its appearance and boasts an iconic score from Jean-Claude Petit.
For a while, Depardieu was one of the world’s greatest actors. His performance as the tragic hunchback Jean is a testament to this. It’s not all about the first film’s titular character, though, as Montard and Auteuil are simply impeccable as the arguably French cinema’s most reprehensible antagonists.
As for Umbrella’s Blu-ray release, the films are presented on one disc with only the trailers as supplementary features. However, when the story is as powerful as this and the films as exemplarity, then there’s nothing else really needed.
Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources is available on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.
