Jean De Florette [1986] | ![Jean De Florette [1986]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RCSGKSJ4L._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Claude Berri
Actors: Yves Montand, Gérard Depardieu, Daniel Auteuil, Elisabeth Depardieu, Margarita Lozano
Studio: Pathe Distribution
Category: Video
New (10) Used (10) Collectible (2) from £0.87
Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 5142
Format: Dolby, Pal, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Languages: English (Subtitled), French (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
EAN: 5011531900757
ASIN: B00004R808
Theatrical Release Date: August 1987
Release Date: March 27, 2000
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Amazon.co.uk Review
A truly impressive French film destined to become a modern masterpiece, Jean de Florette is an evocative adaptation of the highly regarded French novel. Two 1920's farmers engage in a bitter rivalry as one tries to tend to a plot of land and the other deviously undermines his efforts in order to conceal a valuable spring. The peasant farmer (Gérard Depardieu) who comes to the countryside to tend the land he has inherited is a naive and trusting soul seeking only to provide for his wife and daughter, while his neighbour (Yves Montand) is intent on doing whatever he can to discourage and demoralise the farmer so that he can take the land for himself. This simple tale unfolds in a wrenching fashion to a tragic conclusion, bringing forth questions about human nature and the prevalence and price of greed. Along with its follow-up, Manon des Sources, this film will leave an indelible impression on anyone who sees it. --Robert Lane
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 not the book... July 18, 2008
mcnash (UK)
Pretty good as a film - but a bit po-faced. Watching it, you'd never guess that the original book is actually very funny.
Wonderful! March 14, 2007
Mr. G. J. Coldham
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I think this sad tale is based on a Moroccan true story of a man from Ain Asserdoun, who found a cave which was the source of a gushing subterranean stream.
He blocked it, and then found a way to start a (religious?) fund to encourage the deity to restore the water. He made a fortune.
Not an exact analogy but I bet that Marcel Pagnol had read of this story.
 Engrossing and beautiful May 18, 2006
Reptile
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The only problem with this excellent film is that my French is not very good, so that I ended up reading the subtitles rather than listening to the dialogue. Having said this, it is beautifully photographed and very well acted. Gerard Depardieu is perhaps the best known actor, but all the cast are of an equally high standard, so that you end up being interested in the characters, not all of whom are conventionally 'sympathetic.' This is a very different world from any that I have ever lived in, but it is unexpectedly fascinating and leads you on the sequel, Manon des Sources.
A lovely hutchback... December 2, 2005
Manolitos (London)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
If you do not know anything about Pagnol and his wonderful books, here is a very easy and wonderful way to discover his universe. Pagnol mainly painted in his novels the quality of life from the South of France. Life is there very warm and full of colour of which pagnol manages to define and enhance the beauties. This movie is the story of a hutchback moving to the south of France in order to change his life and start a new business in the hills somewhere in provence where life flows nicely with in the background the sound of grasshoppers so recurrent when walking though the country in Provence. His main character, Jean will create some jealousy around him and starts a nightmare in which he will struggle. This movie is full of colour and like a pianting will give you smile and tears.For all the foreigners watching this movie, the language is not so easy to understand and definitely the subtitles will be of great help. All the actors speaks with the accent of the south of France of which you have to listen carefully in order to understand the full meaning. I would recommend this movie for advanced learners in French. Beautiful!
A tragic tale of greed September 12, 2005
Kona (Derbyshire)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
"Jean de Florette" is a classic French film about the tragic consequences of greed and envy. Jean (Gerard Depardieu) leaves his job in the city and brings his wife and little daughter, Manon, to live on the farm he has just inherited. He does not know that there is an excellent spring on his land, but his neighbour Cesar (Yves Montand) and his nephew Ugolin know, and they want it for themselves. They plug up the spring, planning to force Jean to sell the property (to them). Jean is an idealist and happily begins raising rabbits and planting vegetables, but they will soon die without water.
The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing plenty of time to get to know loving Jean, unscrupulous Cesar, and simple Ugolin. The three lead actors are all excellent and so convincing you'll be mesmerized. The photography is quite lovely. The ending may come as a surprise if you don't know that this is part one of two films; the second, "Manon of the Spring," continues the story.
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