Rating: 
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: This is one of my all-time favourite films, and I don't normally watch many foreign films. If you want to pick a foreign film to get a taste of what might be on offer than the usual English/American style, this is a good place to start. It's deeply French, deeply meaningful, and deeply haunting and beautiful. It's themes of renewal, hope, betrayal and fate are as old as the quaint French limestone hills upon which it is based.The style may be slow for some, but the depth of the characters, the realism of the story, and the tragic unfolding of the narrative will undoubtedly inspire more thoughtful viewers. The film is only the first part of an unfolding story, which concludes in Manon de Sources (Manon of the Spring). As a whole the story is well rounded, true to life and deeply fulfilling. The writer Pagnol, is widely recognised as a genuis, the director and the actors/actresses reputations preceed them. This film does them justice. Be prepared for a moving and well-written experience, and don't miss the astonishing unfolding of revenge and hope in the sequel. A truly inspiring work, well adapted to film. The book also is a great read-The Water of the Hills.
Rating:
Summary: Guy de Maupassant would have loved this
Review: The acting-pick any of the three stars, Yves Montand, Gerard Depardieu, Daniel Auteuil-is superb, and the supporting cast excellent. But what makes this and its sequel, Manon des Sources (1986), jewels of the French cinema is the story and the characterizations, which go hand in hand. There is genius in how naturally and almost inevitably the story unfolds. Although I haven't read the novel by Marcel Pagnol, I'm sure he's the genius. And this is not to slight Claude Berri's direction which is invisible and at the same time in total control, so that the film is simply a work of art. The characters are true to themselves, and what they do seems natural because of who they are. Jean Florette (Depardieu) fails because he puts too much faith in science, knowledge and the good will and fairness of his fellow man. (He should have listened to his suspicious wife!) Ugolin (Auteuil), whose selfishness and little guy envy lead him to do the harm that he does, is not a despicable character. We do not hate him the way Manon understandably does. He is a man of weakness who gave into greed. Papet (Montand), believes in the lineage of man, in property, money-all the standard burgher values. He is led to do his dirty deeds because of who he is. What is so, so superior in "Florette" compared to most movies is the lack of propaganda, the lack of adherence to some political or philosophic preconception. What shines forth is people living their lives and falling into some very human traps. I am reminded of Balzac and Guy De Maupassant in the depiction of the petit bourgeois life of the French peasantry and attendant psychology.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and touching
Review: I must say that this was one of the most touching, tragic and beautiful film/book I've ever seen/read. I love this story so much because it is so absolutely realistic and that it is human nature to do what a lot of the characters in the film did. There were so many human flaws, which I love it so much. It wasn't one of those movies where one character was absolutely perfect while the other one was downright horrible, but the flaws were evenly placed like real humans. We all have flaws, only different. We're all different. Once again, I love the film, although I loved the book so much more. It was so much more touching than the film had been, although the movie was great! The letters in the book were a lot more touching in the movie, maybe because I can actually see the spelling mistakes Ugolin and Papet makes. I wonder if they have spelling mistakes in the letters on the English version of the book? (I read the French version).
Rating:
Summary: When Depardieu was still an actor...
Review: ...and not a star!
This one, together with "The Return of Martin Guerre", "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "Tout les Matins du Monde" made him what he is today. Unfortunately, he seems to have forgotten.
Granted, it is a foreign movie, a French one at that, but the humanity contained in it, prevails over mountains and oceans.
A story of greed, love, hate, passion, jealousy and everything that comes with life.
A simple and yet complex story, which could easily be transposed anywhere and yet, in its French setting it seems more poetic.
Its beautiful music, adapted from Verdi's "La Forza del Destino", will make you hum it without end.
But, if you are truly interested in the full story, you will also have to buy "Manon of the Spring". Without it you may still love this movie, but will never understand its ending.
Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil and Emanuelle Beart (in "Manon") perform admirably and catch you with strong performances.
Such movies are rare to come by and this one is really a must for every good movie lover.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film
Review: Gerard Depardieu is superb in this film, as are all of the characters. It is one of the most beautiful films I have seen; however, it is imperative that Manon of the Spring (part II of this movie) be watched immediately afterward to obtain the full splendor of its telling. The scenery is gorgeous, and the acting splendid. It is a simple tale with simple people, and you have to be willing to get comfortable and spend the time it takes to watch the whole story without getting impatient. It will be worth the wait. It is the tale of French provincial farmers, their mentality. and the intrusion of a city fellow (Depardieu) who has inherited a farm and come to join their ranks. He wants to succeed and has a wonderfully positive outlook about his prospects. They just want to drive him out and have a negative attitude. They get their come-uppance through his daughter in the second film, Manon of the Spring, and the tale comes all the way around. It is one of the top five favorite films that I have ever seen. An exquisite little gem. If you like the Hollywood style, stay away from it - you'll be bored to death. If you have the time to sit back and appreciate what's in front of you, you will love it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie, the DVD looks worn...
Review: This movie starts out slow. A man comes back to his farm village and he wishes to grow flowers, but there is an inadequate supply of water. The uncle wishes to purchase his neighbors land, which has a spring, but the neighbor is unwilling to sell. What happens next, I do not want to give away. The DVD is not that bad, but I had the feeling I was watching something which might have been a VHS tape. The lighting in the movie was at times a bit dark. But do not let this stop you from purchasing the DVD, just do not expect a showing with rich bright colors. I give the movie 5 stars, and the DVD 3 stars, so I avarage it out to 4. If I could, I would give the movie more stars, and highly reccomend the follow up "Manon of the Spring". The movie stands up to multiple viewings, and in some ways is even better the second time around.
Rating:
Summary: J'adore ce film!!
Review: I had to watch this movie for my college French class. The scenery is beautiful, if a little rugged. I enjoyed the talents of the cast immensely, especially those of the young Ernestine Marzurowna, who played Manon Cadoret. It's interesting that although she doesn't have very many speaking parts, her body language expresses her character's feelings very well. I also enjoyed Gérard Depardieu's performance as Jean Cadoret. The viewer really gets a sense of Jean's naïve, but optimistic attitude toward farming. This is a classic story of the dichtomy between greed (on the part of Ugolin and César Soubyeran) and survival (on the part of Jean and his family) in difficult times. I can't wait to see the sequel, "Manon of the Spring"!
Rating:
Summary: One of the sublime masterpieces in any time
Review: What can we add about that glorious movie? Wonderful script, powerful message, exceptional landscapes, superb cast. In fact, Depardieu gives one of his finest goals (at the level of Danton, Cyrano, Vatel or Novecento). This film also threw to the sand to Daniel Auteil and Montand might have given the best acievement of his career as the greedy father.
The story is very simple. Depardieu tries to find a new life in a farm on the hills of a village whose peole dont see him very well due his hauntchback.
The epic spirit he awakes and all the crowd of situations make tis story and this film a must reference when you consider the best eighties french movies.
Watch this film and not forget Manon the second part,
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing
Review: 'Jean de Florette' is a simple, but intelligent and effective tale of greed, corruption and human misery set among a Provence farming community in France. The Soubeyrans, once a powerful and respected family in the region, are now down on their luck. There are only two of them left, the Papet (Yves Montand in career-best form, giving a nuanced, intelligent performance) and Ugolin, his slightly pathetic nephew (Daniel Autueil in a star-making performance.) and they dream of restoring the family fortune and reputation. In order to do so they intend to grow carnations. However, there isn't enough water on their land for a large-scale flower operation, so they try to buy a near-by farm, which has a spring running through it. Le Papet gets into a fight with the farmer and leaves him to die, figuring that the Soubeyrans will pick up the land more cheaply at auction. They hadn't counted on the inheritor of the land being a city-dwelling hunchback and all round decent chap, with Rousseau-type ideals about getting back to nature. Before Jean de Florette (Gerard Depardieu) arrives they block up the spring with cement. After he arrives Ugolin pretends to be his friend, while knifing him in the back with the other villagers. All of which leads to a heart-breaking conclusion. It was a long time in coming to the screen. Its author - famous French novellist Marcel Pagnol - made an unremarkable version of its sequel, 'Manon des Sources' back in the 1940s, before adapting it into a novel and then writing its prequel. But the wait was worthwhile. Together 'Jean de Florette' and 'Manon des Sources' (filmed back to back) represent the biggest financial investment ever made in the French cinema. And it shows. It's sumptuously designed, beautifully photographed, and just consumate filmmaking all round. It's a superb, involving story that hooks you in so effectively that I would seriously recommend not watching it unless you have 'Manon' on hand... because, without wishing to give the ending away, you WILL be baying for blood at the closing titles, you WILL be seeking revenge, you WILL need to know what happens next. I heard once they use 'Jean de Florette' in French lessons in schools. The kids all groan at the prospect of nearly two hours worth of a film not only in French (Dammit!) but also about agricultural life. By the time it's reached its conclusion, they're all desperate to see the next one. I don't think you'll find a better recommendation than that. 'Jean de Florette' deserves its popularity. Not much in terms of extras on the DVD, but you really don't need them. You'll be too engrossed in the movie to worry about doo-dads and "featurettes".
Rating:
Summary: A Light Operetta, Part I.
Review: Jean De Florette takes you into a bucolic environment of hypocrisy and superficial envious interests towards dismissed ones, among green French landscapes of farmer's adversity against any foreigner, an Stigma that means both loneliness and passive psychological aggression, greedy and unwelcoming, micro cells of rejection and unfair judgment. Jean Cadoret comes to take on the land he inherits from his late mother Florette, along with his wife (Aimee Cadoret) and daughter (Manon), Jean initiates a utopia of peace and beauty, contemplation and inner state of grace. Little does he knows the faithful tragedy this countryside means, every effort to overcome is a step closer to despair, poor Manon, such an unnecessary faith, the Hunchback is finally aside their mean intentions.
After doing his time in the army, Ugolin comes back to meet his only alive relative, Cesar Soubeyran (Le Papet), with a little red torn plan to become rich, and it is in this moment when Papet sets Ugolin to carry on his will for the sake and perdurability of the Soubeyran strong and respected name, only one obstacle stands in, the necessary land, and most important, an spring overwhelming enough to drank the flowers towards their red adult state, this is Florette's land, now in the hands of his son, the Hunchback, known here as Jean De Florette. And so, Ugolin fakes a friendship with Jean, only to systematically destroy this man's fair dream, Jean Cadoret will die ignoring the existence of the spring that could have turned on his despair into a bliss. Revenge will be at Manon's hands.
Directed by the audacious Claude Berri (his directorial credits includes, A Man and a Woman 1966, and Germinal 1993), the film narrates the perils and sorrows of a man and his determination to confront adversity within hope and emotion, cruelty is the other side of an envy worthy of any cold hearted patriarch, and Papet represents the director's composure of the survival instinct. Rhythm and straight sense conveys the images into a poem of loss, Magnificent. A greening accurate scenery, along with an amazing and light photography, makes justice to every countryside frame, it is both exquisite and delicate, perfectly blended into images, a little shining jewel enhanced by an smooth and classical music score by Jean-Claude Petit (including the overture of Giuseppe Verdi's Opera: La Forza del Destino, or The force of Destiny, 1862).
The film carries on the strong and near perfect performances of its three huge protagonist, the late Yves Montand, Gerard Depardieu, and Daniel Auteuil. Montand commands all his actor experience and knowledge into a mesmerizing portrait of envy and supremacy, and absolute masterful performance, Depardieu expresses with histrionic sense and candor, all the sweetness and tragic personality of that beautiful character that is Jean De Florette, a brilliant work, and last but not least, Auteuil conveys the slimy ways and contradictory conscience of Ugolin, bringing to screen a versatile view of this man, a much keen and deep superb work. Take into consideration, that these three actors are the best ones of their respective generations, big words to say. The supporting cast also brings artistry and intensiveness to the story. Based on The Water of the Hill, by Marcel Pagnol, the screenplay is one of those very strange occasions when an adaptation is as good as the original text, and the film is the cinematographic equal to the novel.
The Region 1 DVD is good, Widescreen Letterbox Edition 2:35.1, with Dolby Digital 2.0. offers a fine choice, but an improve version can make more justice to this great film.
Jean De Florette is only half of the story, the second part, Manon of the Spring, continues this unforgettable tale of envy and true introspect of greedy behavior. A real lesson for those ones that don't care for nothing more than their own interests.
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