All three films in this trilogy are surprisingly fresh and enjoyable, nothwithstanding their considerable age. Marcel Pagnol certainly knew how to write engaging stories, and these three films are a perfect example. The three form a perfect story arc which is very well concluded in the last film, Cesar. They have to be seen in chronological order, since otherwise they would make little sense. The acting is very much better than you would expect of films of that era, and so well directed that they have all the best characteristics of the '30s, with very little of the drawbacks. The individual characters a superbly drawn and interpreted, and give the films so much heft that they completely justify the description "classic". Whilst I am not usually too enthusiastic about the so-called masterpieces of the '20s and '30s, this turned out to be an exception, and so much so that I am surprised that there was a remake of the first two titles. I haven't seen them, and can imagine the modern day production to be technically incomparable, but in this particular case it would be nigh impossible to recreate the authentic "magic" of the real thing as done in the '30s. In addition, the lack of the 3rd title in the remake is a very serious shortcoming. If Marcel Pagnol is your cup of tea, don't hesitate: this is the real McCoy, and brilliantly restored to boot!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Fine films--it is a trilogy--that later provided the basis for the Leslie Caron film "Fanny" in the early sixties. It is long but engaging and deeply human in its drama. Well worth watching, and, as usual, the Criterion Collection guarantees a quality print.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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