Les vendanges

For a French audience,the main interest lies in the presence of Michèle Morgan,cast against type as a peasant woman (and a brunette).French oldies buff will recognize Helena Manson,Marcel Peres and Jacques Marin in small parts.

it's difficult to believe John Kerr and the late Mel Ferrer are brothers on the lam,for the youngest committed a crime in his native Italy .Filmed on location near Marseille ,its best scenes depict grape harvest fifty years ago.But the story is too derivative to be really exciting;too much of it is predictable .

It will remind French people of a time when Italians were emigrating into their country,an age that has gone.

Ernesto Barandero (John Kerr) and older brother Giancarlo Barandero (Mel Ferrer) are on the run from the Italian authorities for a supposed murder. They evade the police and stop at a French vineyard. They are hoping to find work, but it is not quite picking season. Owner Louis Morel (Leif Erickson) intends to throw them off his property. He is worried about them stealing his food, his money, or worst his women. Indeed, his eldest Lucienne (Pier Angeli) falls for Giancarlo. Somebody is stealing chicken.

This is melodramatic at times. The acting can be a little too old style. Other times, there is good drama and some fun. There are sections that are a bit slow. I don't like the guys stealing that chicken. On the other hand, I like that they are those guys who would steal chicken. This needs something to drive the narrative. We do get a few scenes of old-time wine making. All in all, this movie never really elevates, but it is like a summer in wine country. When the big thing happens, the reaction is less than big.

Crossing the border to France from their native Italy are runaway brothers Mel Ferrer (as Giancarlo Barandero) and John Kerr (as Ernesto Barandero). The younger Mr. Kerr is wanted for murder. Looking for jobs as "pickers" for "The Vintage" (grape crop) brings the two men to a vineyard run by Leif Erickson (as Louis Morel) and his earthy wife Michele Morgan (as Leone). Her young and beautiful sister Pier Angeli (as Lucienne) looks riper than the grapes, though she is due to marry Jack Mullaney (as Etienne Morel). The fugitive men stir up desire in the womenfolk. You would expect this group to ignite some passion on the screen, but no. Only the scenery seems real.

**** The Vintage (5/8/57) Jeffrey Hayden ~ Mel Ferrer, Pier Angeli, John Kerr, Michele Morgan

Four stars for a potentially promising or at least recognizable cast. But Peyton Place in a southern French vineyard? Drenched in melodramatic music. This movie had ambitions it failed to meet.

Complete with a James Dean facsimile (John Kerr) this movie was never worth making. Maybe if you like wine ...