Jean de Florette

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Jean de Florette

PG

1986

2h 2m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this acclaimed French drama, the enterprising Ugolin Soubeyran (Daniel Auteuil) returns to his native countryside after serving in the military. Intent on growing expensive flowers, he conspires with his uncle, Cesar (Yves Montand), to gain access to a hidden spring on a neighboring property. When their initial attempt to buy the land fails, they must contend with Jean de Florette (Gérard Depardieu), who arrives with his family to work the coveted plot and turn it into a profitable farm.

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David Mermelstein

Wall Street Journal

04/25/2025

What can be discussed freely are the extraordinary performances that Berri coaxed from a cast that could not be bettered.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

04/11/2025

The edenic landscapes provide an ironic contrast for the heavy use of Biblical imagery and the xenophobic and greedy villagers’ religious superstitions that highlight their sanctimony.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/13/2023

Jean de Florette doesn’t have the motor of a work conceived as a film. It’s a copy, with no life of its own.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Jan 13

Based on Marcel Pagnol’s 1962 two-part novel L’Eau des collines, Berri’s films are a gorgeous meditation on rural life, cruelty, fate, revenge and redemption.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 17

3.5/4

Jean de Florette has all the trimmings of a great Greek tragedy.

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

05/24/2025

3.5/4

Far from a whimsical and charming provincial melodrama, it is rather a merciless depiction of the fundamental cruelty of human greed and the immense devastation—emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual—it leaves in its wake.

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Scott R

@ScottR Oct 5

I saw this because I was teaching at Challenger School and one of the songs they had on their teaching plans was this movie's theme, so I decided to see it. It was a beautiful movie showing rural FRE culture and how people work against one another while keeping up appearances. I was sad when I realized that there is another film! And so far I have been unable to find its sequel with ENG subtitles. However, I won't give up. SLC DVD.

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Peter S

@RT90896791 Aug 27

Heartbreaking, beautiful film with outstanding lead performances.

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Jennifer F

@RT69504950 Jul 4

A delight. As well produced from the book as can be possible. The unravelling of a lost love, the crazy swindlers and the beautiful optimism in starting a dream life that goes to tragically wrong. It's all there. The music, the birdsong and the exquisite setting are the perfect stage for this wonderful film.

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Liam D

@Mediawatcher2003 Jul 3

The first part of a two part story. This is a French classic that has a great cast, fantastic story and beautiful production design and costumes

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Matthew L

@RT67935723 01/30/2025

If you wonder whether a movie critic is worth their salt, see how they rated Jean de Florette - a true masterpiece that unfolds like the best Thomas Hardy tragedy.

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Debi M

@RT70254073 01/25/2025

Loved this movie and have watched it many times. It is a beautiful, tragic, love story hitting many different cylinders. This movie reveals human nature at its worse, yet the ending hints at payback retribution, possibly yet to come.

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Claude Berri

Director

Yves Montand

Cesar Soubeyran

Gérard Depardieu

Jean de Florette

Daniel Auteuil

Ugolin

Elisabeth Depardieu

Aimee Cadoret

Ernestine Mazurowna

Manon Cadoret

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Synopsis

In this acclaimed French drama, the enterprising Ugolin Soubeyran (Daniel Auteuil) returns to his native countryside after serving in the military. Intent on growing expensive flowers, he conspires with his uncle, Cesar (Yves Montand), to gain access to a hidden spring on a neighboring property. When their initial attempt to buy the land fails, they must contend with Jean de Florette (Gérard Depardieu), who arrives with his family to work the coveted plot and turn it into a profitable farm.

Director: Claude Berri
Producer: Alain Poiré
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Films A2, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, DD Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 26, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Surround