LA TERRE {THE EARTH} (TV)
Summary
One in a series of silent films restored and orchestrated for British television by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill. This 1921 film, based on the novel by Emile Zola, explores the relationships among the children of Pre Fouan after he divides his farm and gives it to his family. A central tenant to the story is the characters' dependence on the earth. The film opens as Franoise, a distant niece of Fouan, and Jean, an itinerant farm worker new to the area, meet. Next, in a contentious scene, Fouan and his wife set the terms of the division of their land. His sons, Buteau and JŽsus Christ, as well as his son-in-law Delhomme, argue over the pension they will give their parents in exchange for the land. In the next scene, La Grande, Fouan's oldest sister, who is angry not to be included in the division, prophetically tells him his children will throw him out. The viewer than learns that Franoise lives with her sister Lise, who lives with Buteau. Although Lise and Buteau have a child together, they are not yet married. Jean, who has a job at a local farm, begins to court Franoise. In the meantime, Fouan and his wife fret over the meager provisions and inadequate pension their children have provided for them. Forced to collect his son JŽsus Christ's share of the pension, Fouan pays a visit to his son and granddaughter. JŽsus and his daughter La Troville live by poaching, however, and have no money to give Fouan. Fouan's wife soon dies from a vigorous shaking administered by an angry Buteau. Fouan overexerts himself in the garden and suffers a heart attack; he moves in with his daughter and son-in-law, Fanny and Delhomme. After their marriage, Buteau and Lise treat Franoise as a servant, and Franoise has to fight off the constant sexual advances of her brother-in-law. Wary of marrying Jean because she suspects he likes her sister, Franoise eventually consents after Jean asks Fouan to intercede on his behalf. Meanwhile, Fouan has become unhappy at his daughter's house and moves in with Buteau and Lise, who have been evicted from their house by Jean and Franoise, who legally gained the property from a bequest. Trouble begins to brew when JŽsus surreptitiously learns that Delhomme has been giving Fouan an allowance. Fouan moves from place to place as JŽsus and Buteau attempt to relieve their father of his money. Fouan eventually turns for help to Jean and Franoise, but they refuse to aid him. Tragedy comes to them, though, when Franoise dies after a struggle between Lise and Buteau. In a poignant final scene, Fouan searches for a place to sleep after being abused by all his relatives. A wise shepherd reminds Fouan that he never had a problem before the division, when the good earth gave him all he needed. Fouan dies on a field after wandering all night without shelter.
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: November 30, 1999
- RUNNING TIME: 1:38:15
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: T:64068
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; International Collection - United Kingdom
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Gill … Producer
- David Brownlow … Producer
- Patrick Stanbury … Associate Producer
- Andre Antoine … Director
- Georges Denola … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director
- Julien Duvivier … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director
- Emile Zola … Based on the novel by
- Adrian Johnston … Composer
- Michael Bland … Conductor, Arranger
- Armand Bour … Cast, Pere Fouan
- Rene Alexandre … Cast, Jean
- Germaine Rouer … Cast, Francoise
- Jean Herve … Cast , Louis known as Buteau
- Milo … Cast, Hyacinth known as Jesus Christ
- Berthe Bovy … Cast, Olympe known as La Troville (the pest)
- Jeanne Briey … Cast, Lise
- Jeanne Grumbach … Cast, La Cognette
- Emile Desjardins … Cast, the Shepherd
- Max Chavlier … Cast, Becu
- Rene Hieronimus … Cast, Nenesse
- Armand Numes … Cast
- Leon Malavier … Cast