Marius

Marius (1931) : Brief Review -

A Cult Classic. Just WOW. French Cinema shows why Men can never understand selfless Women and believe me every man gonna drop tears. I love those rare moments when I write review with tears in my eyes and i am very grateful to Alexander Korda for this Classic Tear-jerker because it worth every single drop of my tears. So Marius is not in IMDb Top Rated, not in any popular films list then just burn those lists, I don't give a damn to such low standard list. You know, i have a special place in my heart for some films where I get to see rich content driving to selfless sacrifice, just for the reference I would mention 'Casablanca' (1942) here, and Marius is closest or leveled to that Masterpiece. Not to forget that Marius came 11 years before Casablanca so obviously it deserves more credit. There have been films where we saw Women sacrificing so much for the Men they love but i don't think any movie will come close to Marius as far as the quality and emotions of storyline are concerned. The film about Marius who is faced with a choice whether to fulfill his passion by sailing the seas or stay and marry the woman he loves. One thing is certainly wrong with the film that it is not flawless in the first half. It is more like a comedy in the first half but then it gets to the main point in the second half and leaves you Speechless. I might be running short of words to explain how gorgeously and smoothly this films shows Woman's sacrifice and how painful it was to see the climax. There are so many heart-touching scenes in the last one hour which teach you a lot about Women's selfless love and Father and Son's Relationship. This film is named after a Man but glorifies the Woman and i bet every Man who sees this film is going to feel it for her, roll down tears for her. I don't want to say anything more than it's a MUST WATCH and i am feeling blessed to have this Cult French Drama.

RATING - 8.5/10*

By - #samthebestest

With its stagy direction, its straightforward storyline and its lovable character depictions this first part of Marcel Pagnol's Marseilles trilogy offers a welcome relief from today's often all too florid movies.

Of course, it all seems quite broad, static and dated at first, but if you look behind the theatrics, the powerful sincerity and humanity of Pagnol's vision - coupled with some wonderful performances and the writing's flawless mélange of bitterness and sweetness, of jocular humour and heartwarming sentiment, of life's average highs and lows - more than make up for it.

8 out of 10 cuckolded sailors

Although a film in subtitles, it easily translates into any language through the universal language of the heart. Pagnol was a strong believer that even though sound was a new and amazing convention in cinematography, it could not be taken advantage of. This belief is readily apparent in Marius. Marius is filled with wonderful dialogue, heartwarming scenes, and emotional relationships. Furthermore, the characters of Cesar and Marius were played to perfection. This film is one that breaks the barrier of time. Even though it may be seventy years old, its themes will universally touch all of those who watch it for ages and generation

Although Marius was primarily written for the stage, Pagnol brilliantly adapted this very theatrical piece to the screen. With the complicity and mastery of Korda's impeccable direction, while talkies were still in their infancy and sound recording was still a challenge, Marius flawlessly delivers high quality dialogues with superb photography of pre-war Marseilles accompanied by a suitable musical score. What is timeless in this masterpiece is the depth of the characters, their emotions, their trials, their flaws and their yearnings, all bathed in the humour unique to Pagnol and the spicy flavour of Southern French. I saw this movie for the first time when I was 9 years old - I was in awe - and for fifty years since have seen it a number of times. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of watching it again and again. A timeless piece!

Idyllic piece from the childhood of the cinema of sound and music, when films actually mainly were just screened theatre, and as such this film is an outstanding example. Marcel Pagnol's script is actually a play, and the players here make more than the best of it - they are all virtuoso performances. The dialog is not very witty, there is nothing special to it, and neither is the cinematography, which hardly had had time to get born yet in the sound films, but wich was on its way. So the assets here are mainly just the acting, and the environment coulndn't be more picturesque - the harbour of old Marseilles with its shabby joints, bars and cafès, and they drink a lot throughout the film. The question is, will Marius marry the girl he actually loves, or will he go to sea for the adventure he loves and longs for? It is not settled until in the very last moment, while Fanny and his father César both love him the more for whatever he chooses to do. - To be continued.