Rating: 
Summary: heart-rending and truly great
Review: 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 calculating and evil neighbor (Montand), who is helped along the way by a hapless relation (Auteuil). These actors form a trio that is unsurpassed in French cinema and their chemistry is so painfully believable that it is hard to watch the events unfold. The prolific Depardieu has never been better as the well-intentioned hunchback returning to his inherited land to live a more natural life. Montand, his murderous neighbor who covets the land, is so believably evil as a dried up and selfish man that it is truly chilling. And Auteuil is so weak and pathetic as he participates in Montand's machinations, yet so lonely that he is sympathetic as well. It is so refreshing to see a film that is so un-Hollywood, so self-consiciously determined to tell a great tragic story rather than some syrupy mishmash. Get it. YOu won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Two of my favorite movies of all time
Review: Jean De Florette and its sequel Manon of the Spring deserve all of the accolades and heart-felt praises you read here and elsewhere. I loved them as a 17-year old after stumbling across a special broadcast on PBS, and I love them today as a 29-year old recapturing the magic on DVD. It doesn't get any better than this, folks. These films are simply bursting at the seams with poignant lessons on humanity. One which I admire the most is the tax collector-turned farmer's (Gerard Depardieu) single-minded perseverance to realize his dream. One might argue that he selfishly ignored the well being of his wife and child in pursuing his dream. But I contend that he would not have chosen this path had he thought for one second that his family did not share the same passion. In fact, we observe nothing but unwavering love and support from his wife and child. For you travel lovers out there, is there a better way to immerse yourself in life in a quaint French village without leaving the comfort of your living room? This is one of the reasons I love well-made foreign films. They transport you ever so eloquently to another land and time. Watch these films. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Rating:
Summary: Grab Your Heart...
Review: ...because the depth of this film will want it to soar away. The story in itself gives an incredible foresight on the human spirit and the perserverance one endures when presented against incredible obstacles. It also shows how one person's act of evil can mean no more than the changing of one's shoes, while to the victim it is a challenge of the will to survive, the struggle to believe that there is a reason for everything and all the while maintain a deep faith in God and His acts. A must!(and to be followed with "Manon of the Spring")
Rating:
Summary: What Goes Around.....Comes Around.
Review: This beautifully filmed and acted masterpiece must be seen with its companion film and conclusion of the story, Manon of the Springs, to be fully appreciated. Although each film stands on its own, it is the full story that they, combined, tell that makes the experience of the film so profound. It is a crime that they are not offered together. The story of greed and deception, of cruel avarice leading to tragic consequences, is further enhanced in the terrible irony and effect of mistakes and devastating secrets revealed in the second film. However, this film is complete in telling the first part of the story as we watch a kind and humane man, albeit naive, the Jean of the title (Depardieu) undone by two neighbors (Montand & Autielle) who covet his farmland. Jean's desperation and anguish as he struggles to keep his dream alive is achingly conveyed by Depardieu in a brilliant performance. The two films also gave that old master, Yves Montand, one last magnificent role to cap his career. He is simply wonderful as a shrewd and coldly calculating patriarch, his lazily sly eyes bitterly amused by his manuevers, setting in motion events that will reverberate and return to him in ways he could not possibly fathom. It is so rich and full a performance, that spans both films, that you will be surprised by your different emotions about this man. Montand's work here should not be missed by anyone who loves great acting. He is ably matched by Daniel Autielle as his torn, sad, and conflicted nephew. Directed with great care and beautifully filmed in the countryside of southern France, Jean de Florette is a fine film by itself. But, when seen with Manon of the Springs, the two together make a masterpiece of the consequences of cruelty and greed. Let's hope they get Manon on DVD and box them together. 4 stars each, 5 together.
Rating:
Summary: Depiction of coarse human nature
Review: Jean de Florette and Manon the Spring have very special place in my movie collection. These are very long, French movies. Often some people just hate French movies, because they are so pecked with meaning and philosophy, and they are so lengthy and slow. Although, I can not say that this movie is too different from the typical european cinema stereotype, Jean de Florette is very moving and powerful movie. These two movies, together, bring to us the historical picture of the late 19th century, France. I thought the movie had a great theme: intellectual man, who wants to live like a Roussau's noble savage(man of freedom), move into a small rural, agricultural town. He tries to use methods developed by scientists and rationalists into farming. At the same time, the story introduces a native farmer with dark intentions, jean de florette. His greed, pretention, and obsession drive him to do unthinkable evil to his new neighbor. Jean de Florette is a must have classic for all movie lovers.
Rating: 
Summary: This should be sold in the same box with Manon of the Spring
Review: I saw this film, and thought that it was good - but not as good as the effusive praise heaped upon it. So, I did not see the sequel. Then, someone I know with excellent taste said "Wait a minute - trust me, you MUST see the sequel." Well, I took his advice, and just finished watching the sequel "Manon of the Spring" (Manon des Sources). Together, they are an excellent film that I would give 4+ stars. The first film, "Jean de Florette" is really only half a film. This is really a "two disk set" and perhaps financial considerations forced the film maker to split it into two normal length films, instead of one long one. But, be prepared to watch both. Also, I should echo another reviewer's comment that it is not light and cheerful entertainment, but rather an honest look at how we should treat each other and why.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good transfer of the french classic on DVD
Review: I am not writing this review to praise the movie, a lot of people have already done that, and yes, it is an excellent movie, by all means. However, before purchasing it I got a little bit scared by some of the reviewers who were complaining about the bad transfer on DVD. Trust me, I know what I am talking about: I have seen some movies that have been litteraly ruined by their transfer on DVD (Take SUBWAY by Luc Besson for example). But this is not one of them: The picture is excellent, the sound track is perfect and everything is in sync! Did these people get another version? I don't know, but the transfer is just as good as it could be: PERFECT!
Rating:
Summary: People seriously liked this movie?
Review: I saw this movie in my high school English class. I was very surprised to see that it had come out on video. I remember wondering what happened next. Now that I know the name of the movie, I can get the sequel. Even though I'm curious to find out the rest of the story, I wouldn't rate this as the greatest movie of all time. Still, if you don't have anything better to do, watch it. It is interesting, and it has its comical, and sad moments.
Rating:
Summary: Deservedly A Big Art House Hit
Review: This film beautifully and gracefully brings the most universal topic of all, human nature, to the screen version of Pagnol's celebrated novel. Yves Montand's character greedily wants Gerard Depardiu's character's adjacent farm so he deviously plots against him yet lures him into thinking that he is his good, trusted friend. This is not played on a grand scale but on a human and intimate scale. There is also no motive besides outright greed. The French location shooting is gorgeous and adds much to the film's impact. This was a huge art house hit in the 1980s upon its release in the USA.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Movie...Bad Transfer
Review: Since purchasing a DVD player a year and a half ago, I have often come across reviews that bemoan the "transfer quality" of a particular title. Now...I know what they are talking about. While this is one of my all-time favorite movies, I was extremely disappointed in the picture and sound quality. Film grain is evident throughout and at times the highlight values of the picture seem overexposed. I give the movie 5 stars. I give the "transfer" 1 star. Since this is not likely to be re-released as a "Special Edition" I would reluctantly recommend buying this title, only because it will have a longer shelf life than the VHS edition.
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