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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

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Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer 08/02/2012
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 12/08/2011
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 07/21/2007
Marcel Pagnol's warm-hearted tales of peasant life defined the international image of French cinema before the war. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 02/28/2013
B+
David Edwards Daily Mirror (UK) 12/08/2011
4/5
This is enjoyable fluff and the perfect antidote to long winter nights. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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03/30/2016 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. See more 03/30/2016 A bit overlong but extremely likeable. See more 03/30/2016 a nice little heartfelt film if u like arty films and don't mind reading subtitles as film is French. See more 05/14/2013 Saw this last night on Streaming Netflix. If you liked "Manon of the Spring," you'll love this. See more 05/02/2009 Un rai plaisir que de revoir ce film avec un Raimu au sommet... See more 01/30/2008 Si vous êtes un amoureux de l'oeuvre de Pagnol... Avec fernandel en plus !! See more Read all reviews
The Well-Digger's Daughter

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Cast & Crew

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Marcel Pagnol

Director

Fernandel

Félipe Rambert

Raimu

Pascal Amoretti

Josette Day

Patricia Amoretti

Tramel

Maxime Exbrayat

Line Noro

Marie Mazel
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The Well-Digger's Daughter

The Well-Digger's Daughter (1941) The Well-Digger's Daughter (1941) The Well-Digger's Daughter (1941) The Well-Digger's Daughter (1941) View more photos

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