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The Well-Digger's Daughter

Play trailer The Well-Digger's Daughter 1941 2h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Pascal (Raimu) and his genial assistant Félipe (Fernandel) are middle-aged men leading humble but enjoyable lives digging wells in the French countryside. Félipe hopes to marry Pascal's young daughter, Patricia (Josette Day), but she scarcely notices him, preferring the rakish pilot Jacques (Georges Grey). But Jacques is soon called away to war, and although Patricia is certain she's carrying his child, she finds that no one believes her story. Short on options, she starts to reconsider Félipe.

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer For lovers of classical French cinema, and I am one, this earthy throwback is a whiff of lavender borne by the bracing winds of the mistral. Rated: 3/4 Aug 2, 2012 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian You will need a slightly sweet tooth for this movie, as the ending is a little saccharine - but it is well made and well acted throughout. Rated: 3/5 Dec 8, 2011 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Marcel Pagnol's warm-hearted tales of peasant life defined the international image of French cinema before the war. Jul 21, 2007 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: B+ Feb 28, 2013 Full Review David Edwards Daily Mirror (UK) This is enjoyable fluff and the perfect antidote to long winter nights. Rated: 4/5 Dec 8, 2011 Full Review Marty Mapes Movie Habit Pagnol's story tops all the previous 'single mother' stories in his early career. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 16, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A lovely French war time film about the coming of age of a poor, yet beautiful labourers daughter. The story finds itself deeply immersed into 1914 morales and village thinking as it tackles the theme - taboo love and those that create the boundaries. The film is a remake, and you can see how it would of been a powerful telling in its day. The cast is terrific. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A bit overlong but extremely likeable. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member a nice little heartfelt film if u like arty films and don't mind reading subtitles as film is French. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Saw this last night on Streaming Netflix. If you liked "Manon of the Spring," you'll love this. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Un rai plaisir que de revoir ce film avec un Raimu au sommet... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Si vous êtes un amoureux de l'oeuvre de Pagnol... Avec fernandel en plus !! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Well-Digger's Daughter

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The Well-Digger's Daughter

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Movie Info

Synopsis Pascal (Raimu) and his genial assistant Félipe (Fernandel) are middle-aged men leading humble but enjoyable lives digging wells in the French countryside. Félipe hopes to marry Pascal's young daughter, Patricia (Josette Day), but she scarcely notices him, preferring the rakish pilot Jacques (Georges Grey). But Jacques is soon called away to war, and although Patricia is certain she's carrying his child, she finds that no one believes her story. Short on options, she starts to reconsider Félipe.
Director
Marcel Pagnol
Producer
Marcel Pagnol
Screenwriter
Marcel Pagnol
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Canadian French
Runtime
2h 30m