La fille du puisatier

The story goes and one sincerely hopes it is not apocryphal, that having made the pilgrimage to France to meet Raimu, fellow genius Orson Welles began to cry when told by Marcel Pagnol that he was too late as Raimu had died. Raimu was greatly respected by many of the finest actors as well as being adored by the public, the national mourning at his death being equalled only by that of Edith Piaf and Yves Montand. Outside his native country his fame and reputation rests on his portrayal of Cesar in the marvellous Marseilles trilogy, the last of which was directed by Pagnol and as Aimable in Pagnol's sublimest of films 'The Baker's Wife'. There was undoubtedly a 'simpatico' between Raimu and Pagnol which enabled him to reach the heights as an actor and although 'The Well-Digger's Daughter' may not be in quite the same league as their other collaborations, his performance as Pascal is stupendous and again allows him to utilise his early comedic experience as well as display the most extraordinary pathos. The same comments might apply to co-star Fernandel. Although most recognisable internationally as the priest in the Don Camillo series, the five films he made with Pagnol, of which this is the fourth, gifted him his greatest roles and represent his best work by far. As the unmarried mother, a familiar character in Pagnol's films(!) we have the lovely Josette Day. Her relationship with Pagnol was by all accounts more than just professional and although very touching she does not quite convince as a naive eighteen-year old. She went on to excel of course in 'Beauty and the Beast'. Pagnol regular Ferdinand Charpin is as always good value and Willy Factorovitch is again behind the camera. Pagnol makes no concessions to the viewer as the piece comes in at just under two and a half hours and definitely comes into the catagory of 'filmed theatre' with no intermission! Seventy-years on came the remake directed by and starring the admirable Daniel Auteuil. This obviously has greater production values and Auteuil is splendid as Pascal but the devastating simplicity and humanity of the original cannot be matched.

Pagnol's movies have to be heard in French, to have the pleasure to hear and fully appreciate this melodious accent. This time, the story focuses on 2 mains families, one poor and simple and one rich and more, let's say, cautious, in particular times as the story takes place in 1939 and 1940 - the movie being shot in 1940 and released at the end of that year.

The movie is a bit too long but rewards us with some crunchy scenes and 2 of the best French actors, Raimu and Fernandel. The rest of the cast does not reach the same levels (with these 2, the challenge is not easy) and the choice of the leading actress did not convince me as a 18y young girl. The scenario is so so, but still displays Pagnol love for simple, modest people.

Josette Day brings dinner to her father, Raimu, on her 18th birthday. Charles Gray, who is fishing in a stream, helps her over and back, but does not get her name, although she accepts a ride from him on his motorcycle. Fernandel, Raimu's assistant, asks Raimu for Mlle Day; he agrees, but Mlle Day doesn't want him. She goes with him to the fair the next day, to see Raimu's friend, Gray, who is a pilot. She leaves Fernandel, and winds up expecting Gray's child, but that comes later. The next day, when she is to meet him, he has unexpectedly been posted to Africa. His mother, Line Noro, is to bring her a letter explaining, but she takes one look at Mlle Day, and burns it. When Raimu and Mlle Day go to his parents to tell them they will be having a grandchild, she accuses them of blackmail. Raimu sends Mlle Day away to his estranged sister, Milly Mathis, and refuses to have her name mentioned in the house. Gray is reported dead.

It's all under the direction of Marcel Pagnol, and the comedy of Raimu and Fernandel soon gives way to heartbreak and anger. When Raimu is present, he dominates the screen, with his sorrow, long discourses, and the pride of the working poor; only Mlle Mathis can share the screen with him. Nonetheless, when he is not present, Fernandel offers a telling performance, half clown, half honest man in love. Clairette Oddera, as the second of Raimu's five daughters, offers a few spark, but Raimu's performance, as almost always, is compelling.

But I babble. The copy I saw is missing about 15 minutes of its original 150 minutes, but every one of them is superb. With Fernand Charpin.