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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Manolitos
Format:DVD
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!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
This is one of my favourite films - coupled with the sequel Manon des Sources. Along with all that very special French style, it is a fascinating story set in southern France under that hot sun that drives people mad ..... and the story has a savage kick in its tail but you'll have to see Manon des Sources to find out what it is - or perhaps you'll guess. But if you do, it doesn't make it any less fascinating. Read the book too.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"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.
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jean de Florette / Manon of te Spring
Two part film, that was 1st released as two separate features. Terrific telling of a complex story of intertwined farming families in rural France in the early part of the 20th... Read more
Published 10 months ago by K. Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars
heart-rending and truly great
This is one of those films that continues to haunt the imagination years after you see it. The conflict is so classic: a good and dangerously naive man (Depardieu) falls prey to a... Read more
Published 20 months ago by rob crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Red Carnations Will Stick in Your Mind
"Jean de Florette," (1986), a French drama, is a mouth-watering, award-winning color film, set apparently, in the early 20th century, in Provence, in the gorgeous, fertile south of... Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2010 by Stephanie DePue
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to Water Your Carnations
When my partner and I were recently on holiday in Provence in a farmhouse in the hills, miles form anywhere and surrounded by forests and vineyards, we mentioned to our (English)... Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2010 by Nicholas Casley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jean de Florette - One of the best films ever
This is one of the best films I have ever seen. I first saw it many years ago and always intended to buy the DVD, having finally gotten round to purchasing it and watched it once... Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2010 by MarinaThomson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jean de Florette
This is one of the French classic films and is a viewing must for any Franco-file, English sub-titles help otherwise brush up on your french and make sure you also view the sequel... Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by Mr. A. Bisson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jean de Florette
An outstanding example of recent French cinema; the common themes of human weakness, set in the remote south of France are given a universal relevance. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2009 by J. W. E. Dawson
3.0 out of 5 stars
not the book...
Pretty good as a film - but a bit po-faced. Watching it, you'd never guess that the original book is actually very funny.
Published on 19 July 2008 by mcnash
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!
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. Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2007 by Mr. G. J. Coldham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing and beautiful
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. Read more
Published on 17 May 2006 by Reptile
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