Jean de Florette / Manon of the Spring

REVIEW
Jean de Florette:
Adapted from two of Marcel Pagnol's novels (author of the popular trilogy "Marius," "Fanny" and "César"), this powerful and absorbing tale of greed, betrayal, idealism and love was an art-house hit across the country. Montand gives an unsettling performance as "Papet," an evil old peasant intent on swindling some valuable land from his neighbor. After accidentally killing the original owner of the property, he must now deal with Jean (Depardieu), a city-bred hunchback who optimistically brings his family to the farm and dreams of a new life. (French with English subtitles)

Manon of the Spring:
Set ten years after the conclusion of Jean de Florette, this sequel unfolds with César and his nephew Ugolin now tilling the soil they stole from Jean de Florette. Manon, Jean's daughter, has grown into a beautiful, untamed woman who roams the countryside tending goats. The drama concerns Manon's efforts to reclaim the land and renounce the men who were responsible for her father's demise. The conclusion to this epic of revenge and treachery is riveting drama and is a superlative finale to two exquisite stories. (French with English subtitles)