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Poster for Jean de Florette

Jean de Florette

For some men, land and water are more precious than flesh and blood.

1986 · 2h 1m · PG Drama
Directed by Claude Berri

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Overview

In a rural French village, an old man and his only remaining relative cast their covetous eyes on an adjoining vacant property. They need its spring water for growing their flowers, and are dismayed to hear that the man who has inherited it is moving in. They block up the spring and watch as their new neighbour tries to keep his crops watered from wells far afield through the hot summer. Though they see his desperate efforts are breaking his health and his wife and daughter's hearts, they think only of getting the water.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
96%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The point of the film is not to create suspense, but to capture the relentlessness of human greed, the feeling that the land is so important the human spirit can be sacrificed to it.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

You may also become permanently sick of goats. But after Jean, a rich residue of themes and images remains -- much as after reading a long but great novel or Greek tragedy.

Desson Thomson, Washington Post

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