Les Aristocrates (1955)
Directed by Denys de La Patellière

Film Synopsis

A man proud of his aristocratic lineage, the Marquis de Maubrun lives with his six children - one daughter and five sons - in a grand château that has belonged to his ancestors for hundreds of years.  A crusty old widower wedded to the traditions of the past, he finds it hard to move with the times and struggles to understand the behaviour of his troublesome offspring.  His main concern is his daughter Daisy, who has apparently lost her heart to Christophe, the son of an odious self-made man, the Prince of Conti.  As for his eldest son Arthur, he seems to be obsessed with running the estate at a profit - not something that the Marquis or his predecessors ever bothered with.

Then there is Pierre, the hot-headed student who seems to be in a permanent state of revolt - what a trouble he is turning out to be!  The irritable Marquis is about to give up on his annoying children when the latter send for a notary to settle the question of their inheritance.  Family unity is restored only after Pierre gets himself killed by a madman who has been causing mayhem in the area.  The Marquis is so affected by the loss of his son that he changes his outlook immediately and becomes more forgiving towards his remaining children.  After giving his consent to Daisy's marriage to Christophe, he makes up his mind to join a monastery and live out his remaining days in quiet contemplation.