The Guardians

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Alain E A real masterpiece that unfortunately is incomprehensible to the average American viewer. The setting is the First World War that is mostly happening off screen except for a sequence of a nightmare experienced by one of the soldiers when visiting his family. The movie concentrates on the civilians left behind. Women are responsible for the excellent photography and editing. Acting is first class. We slowly follow the progression from 1915 to 1920. Rural life for those complaining is slow, even today in US. We get a very good of experience of cultivating the land and raising animals one hundred years ago. The actresses learned how to lead calves to drink water, pretend to thresh wheat and operate primitive tractors. Around these activities life goes on, people are born and die. There is a glimpse of a love story , sacrificed by the family of the man which however shows that the young servant girl is incredibly resilient and in the end she serves a nice dish of revenge when she becomes a successful singer. His loss! Directing is very economical despite the dramatic events depicted. Often the actors are shown silent contemplating. I am really enthusiastic about this movie. Nathalie Baye who plays the mother who governs the family is of course well known. Extraordinarily successful is Iris Bry, the young actress who impersonates the main character. The third actress who plays Baye’s daughter is actually her real life daughter! There is no unnecessary nudity. Sex mostly happens off screen. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/25 Full Review John M Too long and slow.Didn't understand all the characters motivations. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review keith w C'est un film tres beau I find the negative audience reviews here for this beautiful film hugely disappointing. Freeze almost any frame and you find a work of art. And the story is beautifully and tacitly developed. Much is done by facial expression and incidentals rather than overt obvious dialogue - and I find this adds to the film's beauty and impact. Nathalie Baye (Hortense) is perfect in her part as the matriarch of the family farm. And I don't find this to be a feminist film at all. The women have to manage the farm themselves simply because the men are away in a wart that will inevitably damage them. Hortense's love for her two boys shines convincingly when she meets them off the train when they are on leave. My favourite scene is Hortense and her daughter Solange leaning on a fence towards the end of the film - they even look like mother and daughter. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Great!! Each scene is a painting. The colors and light enfold in a world of magical creations. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Took a long time to say not very much. Strong central performances and good sets. But none of the cast look like peasant farmers and the plot seems to have no direction and certainly no resolution. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Paul O This isn't a film, its a postcard of turn of the century rural France. Watch French peasants cut grass (for 20 minutes,) watch peasants milk cows, watch peasants eat lunch (without dialogue) for 15 minutes. Boooring! Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/27/19 Full Review Read all reviews

The Guardians

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