Harpagon is a rich money-lender who cares only about his money.And maybe a girl called Mariane.But Mariane is also loved by his son, Cléante.And she loves him.Harpagon's daughter Elise is in love with his retainer Valére, but he has already chosen a man for her.In the end Harpagon has to choose between the girl and the ten thousand ecus his son has hidden from him.Saituri (1967) is directed by Seppo Wallin.It's a TV-play of Moliére's 1668 five-act satirical comedy L'Avare, or The Miser in English.I read that fine play last fall.This movie is a very well done TV play.Toivo Mäkelä does exquisite job as Harpagon.In other parts you see some masters, as well.Eero Melasniemi portrays Cléante.Tarja-Tuulikki Tarsala is Elise.Paavo Pentikäinen plays Valére.Elina Salo is Mariane.Tauno Söder is Anselme.Asta Backman plays the part of Frosine.Uolevi Vahteristo is Mestari Simon.Pehr-Olof Sirén is Mestari Jacques.Kaarlo Juurela portrays La Fléche.Eino Kaipainen plays the part of Komisario and Rauno Ketonen the one of Brindavoine.The character Harpagon is one of the kind.You can't really hate the character just like you can't hate Scrooge McDuck.He just happens to love the money more than he he loves any human relations.That makes him a somewhat tragic figure, although he is most comical.His avarice leads into many funny situations.In one amusing scene Master Jacques is awaiting money from Harpagon as he is digging his pocket, but he takes out a tissue instead and blows his nose.Quite satisfying movie of one fine play.
