Jean De Florette/Manon Des Sources [1986]

Customer Reviews:

Turn off time and be absorbed........2007-12-02

You can read the reviews but please, just watch these films. Make sure your 'phone is off, your curtains are closed, everyone is watching with you or out for the weekend and assemble your neccessary acoutriments around you. Wear a nappy even! This duo takes you through the greed, stupidity, innocence, faith, hate, rage, desire and Love that is manifest in your lifetime. As fluid as the Stella for which the title music is used, and as solid as the backdrop of mountains, across which little Manon flits and leaps. You will need little else for some time. Drink it in.

A real must see.......2007-11-03

You must watch these two together. The first time i watched jean de florette (sp) was in a soho cinema........i cried my eyes out, its the first film i ever saw with sub titles that i totally forgot i was reading at the bottom of the screen and got submerged in the beauty and brilliantly written story. I was very young at the time, and it opened my eyes to "world cinema" it never left me and i went on to watch such classics as Betty Blue, Cyrano de Bergerac etc. You must try them and see... enjoy.

It's no masterpiece..........2007-05-30

One of my favourite films (I've always regarded it as one film rather than two), but one that I hadn't seen for many years, I watched it again with my daughter (12) over the weekend. Although I still enjoyed it, I question its status as a masterpiece of French cinema. The story and the performances, particularly by Depardieu, Yves Montand and (particularly, I think) Daniel Auteuil, really carry it, but the film itself often seems clumsy to me... to take a few examples, most of the scenes where the blessed harmonica puts in an appearance are on the wrong side of toe-curling, Jean's death seems rushed in the otherwise measured tempo of the film and for me, Emmanuelle Beart is completely wrong for the part, too modern, emotionally monotone and generally looking as though she has just stepped out of a Monsoon ad. And the great cinematography? Well it's a beautiful landscape and setting, for sure, but I'm not convinced that the photography, which I find rather flat, does it any particular favours.
Having said all that, my daughter loved it. But maybe that's consistent... revolving around the death of the father, the film is full of wild passion and drama which to older eyes starts to look more like sentimental melodrama, Maybe she's the perfect audience, and that's no criticism. But a great film? I'm not so sure any more.

A Classic Double French Helping.......2007-05-24

A story about a sympathetic hunchback named Jean de Florette (Depardieu), who dreams of a simple life, but his efforts are thwarted by his two neighbors. They wish to buy his land, because they and only they know its true value. The two schemers offer to help Jean, but really they only want to keep close track of what he is doing and has planned so that they may persuade and influence him to that which will not succeed so that he will be forced to sell - to them. To fully appreciate the story and this film, one must see the sequel 'Manon des Sources', where the final ironic tragic ending is revealed. To quote the bible "...am I my brother's keeper", it seems a perfect epithet for this movie.

As good as a film can get.......2007-05-15

Have been meaning to see this for some time.

The film is shot beautifully and acting almost perfect. There are a few flaws if being picky, although disagree with an earlier reviewer's comments about the drought, as I seem to remember part of the storyline revolves around the piece of land in question being in a valley where rain doesn't fall even when surrounding areas do get rain. So, ok, perhaps this isn't likely in real life, but it is a story and adds to the irony of there being a spring on the land, and is central to the deception.

Without giving anything away, the first film leads you to want to see the second, both are wonderful and led me to further Claude Berri films. Very rewarding.

Average customer rating:

Turn back the pages of time..............
Revenge and Other Surprises in Provence
Enchanting, but make sure you see Jean de Florette first
Emmanuelle Beart nude - need any more encouragement?!!
A beautiful, heartbreaking tale set in Provence

Manon Des Sources [1986]
Starring: Yves Montand , Daniel Auteuil , Emmanuelle Béart , Hippolyte Girardot , and Margarita Lozano
Director: Claude Berri
Manufacturer: Pathe Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All World Cinema | World Cinema | Categories | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00004RJEJ
Release Date: 2000-03-27

Amazon.co.uk Review

Less a sequel than a seamless continuation of its predecessor, Jean de Florette, Manon des Sources brings with it a more epic scope as it depicts the growth to womanhood of the daughter (Emmanuelle Béart) of the doomed farmer of the first film. As she discovers the truth of what happened to her father as a result of the scheming of their neighbour (Yves Montand), who took the land for himself, she vows revenge, realising that the neighbour's deeds have irrevocably shaped the course of her life. Her moves toward avenging her father's demise provide an ironic twist to this harsh and thought-provoking saga, and French director Claude Berri perfectly illustrates the lasting consequences of deceit, greed, and revenge. Manon des Sources is a very special subtitled film-choice, destined to be revered for years to come. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

Turn back the pages of time.....................2006-12-05

Even though sub titles this film is what "real films" should be like and we rarely see in the UK in 2006. Brilliant...........nothing more to add.

Revenge and Other Surprises in Provence.......2006-11-09

Manon, the daughter of Jean de Florette returns to Provence and lives in a small cottage on the property of her father. In the previous film, her father had died trying to make the farm work but without a source of water, it was impossible. The farmhouse and certain lands were sold at decreased value because of the lack of water. The neighbor Cesar Soubeyran bought the farm and unblocked the spring ...

Soubeyran's nephew, Ugolin Gallette, who was part of the conspiracy to drive Jean de Florette from the land falls in love with Manon as he watchers her tend her flock of goats and while she wanders the hillsides of Provence, setting traps for birds that she sells in the market. Manon keeps a distant eye on a newcomer, the teacher in the town who walks among the hills, examines the soil and takes a general interest in his new home. The teacher loses his knife which Manon finds ... they meet and she returns the knife which he insists she keep with all its fancy gadgets. A mysterious chemistry develops between them ... Meanwhile Ugolin behaves uncharacteristically claiming to be ill. His Uncle prods and eventually discovers he is in love. Ugolin finally admits with whom. Cesar gives him advice, dress like a hunter, impress Manon, talk to her nicely ... Ugolin botches it up as he stammers out his declaration of love.

When a small goat drops from the hillside among the rocks below ... Manon strives to save it. She discovers a cave and cavern which is the source of the water supply for the spring. She works hard to block it up which eventually dries up the water source not only for Ugolin and his precious carnations (cash crop) but for the whole town. It causes an uproar to the point of a government official visiting who promises a large supply of bottled water to solve the needs of the people. It upsets some farmers who want more done stating the spring supply needs to be restored so they can continue to farm and save their crops. The official checks the records and proves there is no spring on the survey maps ... Meanwhile, someone may have confessed to the local priest about the unusual circumstances regarding the death of Jean de Florette associated with the blocked up spring in the past. In his sermon the priest admonishes the community that G-d may be punishing them for their sins ... One farmer accuses Cesar Soubeyran of having caused the problems claiming he saw them block up the spring and heard the discussion with his nephew. Cesar denies it and adamantly claims Jean died of an accident ... After the community prays and the devote partake in a religious ceremony, Manon unblocks the spring with the help of the school teacher. In effect, they brought about the miracle which the religious people had prayed for ... Cesar Soubeyran suffers a sad but not unexpected devasting event involving his nephew. During a visit to the cemetery, a local blind woman sits next to him on a bench and reminicses about the past, particularly his youth when he fell in love with Florette, who left the village and married a blacksmith in another town. Cesar receives information which brings the final and eternal blow to his life ... It is a phenomenal surprise ending which finalizes the unanticiapted revenge, one from beyond the grave. This is a superb film with much depth, mystery, and unexpected twists, a totally satisfying and excellent viewing experience. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

Enchanting, but make sure you see Jean de Florette first.......2006-05-18

The absence of Gerard Depardieu is amply compensated for by Emanuelle Beart, although I don't mean to imply that her role is comparable to his. Jean de Florette is beautifully photographed, but this is even more visually impressive. The only warning I have to give is that elements of the plot are sad. This is not a depressing film, however. In fact, I found it the reverse.

Emmanuelle Beart nude - need any more encouragement?!!.......2006-03-24

This film has everything. A beautiful woman, a beautiful landscape, and a tragically beautiful story.

I love the French and French culture. They make films like no other country. Stylish, slow and heart-rendering. Manon des Sources is no exception. Unlike most films that are set in such idyllic beauty, it transcends its setting with its excellent script rather than just let the viewer get entangled in the aesthetic quality of the direction it flows perfectly to allow the plot and acting to take position.

And what a story! My heart and mind were so moved at the final exposition. Unlike most Hollywood features the emotion is more sincere and affecting, it touched places of my soul that few films do. I don't want to give the film away. Watch, savour and sorrow.

A beautiful, heartbreaking tale set in Provence.......2005-09-26

This film finishes the story that was begun in "Jean de Florette." Ten years ago, Cesar (Yves Montand) and his nephew Ugolin plugged up the spring on Jean's farm, causing him to lose his crops and die in a tragic accident. They then bought his land, reopened the spring, and became successful flower growers.

Manon was just a child when her father died, and is now a beautiful young woman, living alone in the hills with her goats. Ugolin falls hopelessly in love with Manon on first sight, and Cesar, desperate for his family name to go on, encourages his nephew to court her. She, however, despises them both when she learns they blocked her father's spring, causing his death. She takes her revenge, Ugolin takes a pitiful step, and, too late, Cesar learns a heartbreaking secret.

This very moving story has been compared to a Greek tragedy; it shows the pain of unrequited love, the power of vengeance, and the irony of fate. Yves Montand is wonderful as the greedy, clever, and lonely Cesar. I recommend seeing "Jean de Florette" first, and then you can enjoy the story's surprising and touching resolution.

Kona

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