Crésus (1960)
Directed by Jean Giono

Film Review

Jean Giono is one of France's most respected writers, famous for his enduring descriptions of Provence life.  Many of his novels have been adapted for cinema - most successfully by Marcel Pagnol.  Crésus was Giono's first and only attempt to direct a film - a simple, unambitious film which appears to have fallen through a time warp from the 1930s.  The naïve cinematic style and leisurely narrative pace is reminiscent of Marcel Pagnol's early films (except that it is in widescreen format, an unusual choice for a black-and-white film).

Like Pagnol, Giono succeeds in capturing the wonder and scale of the Provence setting, and his depiction of the characters who live in this bleak paradise is convincing.  A few tedious joke-milking sequences do weaken the charm of the piece and you do sometimes regret that the film was not made in colour.

Late in his career, Fernandel turns in one of his most endearing performances as the tragicomic shepherd Jules.  His flair for comedy is evident as ever (and the film does have some very funny moments), but he also manages to bring genuine poignancy and a rough-edged realism to his part.  There is also the nostalgic satisfaction of seeing Fernandel make a belated return to Jean Giono's universe - early in his career he starred in Pagnol's sublime adaptations of Angèle (1934) and Regain (1937).

Film Synopsis

Jules is a shepherd who lives a simple but contented life on a plateau in the rural heart of Haute-Provence.  His closest friend is Fine, a young widow who keeps him company from time to time.  Whilst out grazing his sheep one day, Jules comes across what he thinks is an unexploded bomb, half-buried in the ground.  Cautiously, the shepherd has a go at detonating the bomb, but in vain.  He then realises that it isn't a real bomb but merely a container stuffed with thousands upon thousands of French bank notes.  Unsure what to do with this unexpected windfall, Jules consults Fine and she provides him with the answer.  He will gather all the villagers together and share the money out fairly between them.  Instead of bringing happiness to the poor folk this act of generosity merely makes them greedy and spiteful, and in their fury they turn on Jules...