Manon Des Sources DVD

Advantages: Even more emotional and an excellent continuation of the story
Disadvantages: Darker than the first film

...my Jean De Florette / Manon Des Sources review. I'm hoping you've read that one first; if not, go back and read it! This won't make sense unless you've read that one first, just as watching Manon Des Sources won't make much sense unless you've first watched Jean De Florette. They're two parts of the same story, and really, this is just the second part of the same review. Also, I have to warn you, it's virtually impossible to give any analysis of ...
...to ruin it. So, Manon Des Sources. Again, it's directed by Claude Berri, adapted from the novel by Marcel Pagnol, and stars Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil. This was released in the same year as the other, 1986, and this was also nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Baftas. Unfortunately, both films lost out in this category to Offret (from Sweden), whilst Jean De Florette picked up several major awards. I'm not really surprised due to the nature ... Read review

Advantages: Powerful acting and a simple story produce a memorable film
Disadvantages: Subtitles may put some off (don't be deterred)

Manon des Sources (subtitled Jean de Florette part 2) is the conclusion of the tale of Jean de Florette. The film begins some years after the finish of Jean de Florette. Manon (Emmanuel Beart) has grown into a beautiful young woman, but is wild and believed to be simple by the villagers, as she has chosen to live with a goatherd and his wife in the mountains. She has not forgotten how Ugolin and Le Papet tricked her father or the dreadful way the ...
...kept hidden from him) when Manon finds the source of the stream that supplies water to the village she blocks it. As summer approaches the villagers become ever more desperate for water. The film builds up to an emotional and totally unexpected conclusion. The saga of Jean de Florette is a tale of innocence, greed, revenge, inextinguishable spirit and also of tragic love. Behind the main thread of Manon is the story of two loves that are never expressed ... Read review

Advantages: Another stunning film from Claude Berri
Disadvantages: Subtitles - other than that none.

...did, which was to watch Manon des Sources before having seen Jean de Florette. Hehe :P In my defence though this was because I was studying Manon des Sources for my French coursework and we simply didn't have time to watch Jean de Florette first. If you do do this, it's preferable to have a rough idea of what happened in the first film, though it won't hinder your understanding of the film terribly if you don't know what happened in the first one. ...
...on the eponymous role of Manon while Montand and Auteuil return to their roles of César (Le Papet) and Ugolin respectively. Montand, in particular, is outstanding in this film as he really manages to evoke a sense of sympathy towards the end of the film, despite his despicable actions we see the morals and values that lead him to take them. Ugolin also, is an excellent character. This film contains many more tragic elements than the first in my ... Read review