A Day in the Country

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A Day in the Country

Released May 8, 1946

40m

Comedy

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100%

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15 Reviews

87%

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1,000+ Ratings

During a summer afternoon, Parisian merchant Monsieur Dufour (Andre Gabriello) takes his extended family out to the countryside for some rest and relaxation. On their outing, the Dufour party meets two locals at an inn, and the young men offer to take the women boating while the father and his future son-in-law (Paul Temps) go fishing. But, before long, engaged Henriette Dufour (Sylvia Bataille) falls for her guide, Henri (Georges D'Arnoux), and a new romance begins.

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

The brazen carnality of A Day In The Country is refreshing even now.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 18, 2015

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The charm of the film seems almost too easily won, but Renoir's real brilliance emerges in the way the light tone is subtly modulated into the profound sadness and regret of the conclusion.

May 9, 2007

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Witty and sensuous, it's pure magic.

May 9, 2007

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Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

A delicious comedy that combines irony with emotions. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 29, 2019

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Jesús Fernández Santos

El Pais (Spain)

A small masterpiece that mixes humor and passion. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 21, 2019

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Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

It's one of Renoir's most bittersweet works, a film that, just like the country life it depicts, feels beautifully, perfectly incomplete.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 7, 2019

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Audience Member

A pointless short film about nothing much.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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William L

A simple but powerfully restricted romance that builds up a deceptive bulk of superficiality before delving all too briefly into a sincere tretise on disturbing the calm of surface-level happiness to satisfy a deeper desire. (3.5/5)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/09/20

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Audience Member

Charming, bittersweet comedy directed by Jean Renoir.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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s r

A beautifully charming well made French film. 1001 movies to see before you die.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a beautiful short film from the great Jean Renoir. Though made in 1936, it still feels relevant and is just a beautiful and simple story, very well told. The scenery and cinematography are gorgeous. My only complaint is the character/actor of Anatole, every time he was on screen he made me cringe, but otherwise this is a short masterpiece!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A family from Paris spend a day in the country, where a couple of local gents conspire to romance the daughter under the nose of her fiance. A short, beautifully bittersweet vignette from Renoir based on a Guy de Maupassant story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Jean Renoir

Director

Sylvia Bataille

Henriette

Georges D'Arnoux

Henri (as Georges Saint-Saens)

Jane Marken

Madame Dufour (as Jeanne Marken)

Andre Gabriello

Monsieur Dufour

Jacques Borel

Rodolphe (as Jacques Borel)

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Synopsis

During a summer afternoon, Parisian merchant Monsieur Dufour (Andre Gabriello) takes his extended family out to the countryside for some rest and relaxation. On their outing, the Dufour party meets two locals at an inn, and the young men offer to take the women boating while the father and his future son-in-law (Paul Temps) go fishing. But, before long, engaged Henriette Dufour (Sylvia Bataille) falls for her guide, Henri (Georges D'Arnoux), and a new romance begins.

Director: Jean Renoir
Producer: Pierre Braunberger
Screenwriter: Guy de Maupassant, Jean Renoir
Distributor: Joseph Burstyn Inc.
Production Co: Pantheon-Production
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): May 8, 1946, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2016
Runtime: 40m
Sound Mix: Mono

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