Le château de ma mère (1990)

Director:

Yves Robert

Writers:

Marcel Pagnol (novel)
Jérôme Tonnerre (adaptation) ...

Release Date:

September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Return to childhood in Provence.

Plot:

Every holiday Marcel and his family go to their cottage in the Provence (France). He likes the hills in this region...

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Canal | Provence France | Hill | Love

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Philippe Caubère	...	Joseph Pagnol
Nathalie Roussel	...	Augustine Pagnol
Didier Pain	...	Oncle Jules
Thérèse Liotard	...	Tante Rose
Julien Ciamaca	...	Marcel Pagnol
Victorien Delamare	...	Paul Pagnol
Joris Molinas	...	Lili des Bellons
Julie Timmerman	...	Isabelle Cassignole
Paul Crauchet	...	Edmond des Papillons
Philippe Uchan	...	Bouzigue
Patrick Préjean	...	Dominique, le jardinier
Pierre Maguelon	...	François
Michel Modo	...	Le facteur
Jean Carmet	...	Le garde ivrogne
Jean Rochefort	...	Loïs de Montmajour / Adolphe Cassignole

Also Known As:

My Mother's Castle (USA)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:6 | South Korea:All | Australia:PG | Australia:G (DVD rating) | France:U | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Company:

Gaumont

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#34.6)" (2005)

perhaps the best French film I have ever seen

I really enjoyed this film tremendously. There were no grand special effects, dazzling action or exciting twists--just unbelievably beautiful film-making! This is a biographical tale based on the childhood of the great French director/writer Marcel Pagnol. In fact, it is because of my love of his films that I sought out this videotape and the prequel, My Father's Glory. If you have not seen the Fanny trilogy (or the single film by the same title starring Leslie Caron), The Baker's Wife, Harvest, Manon of the Spring or any of his other films, try to see them!! What makes all these films so wonderful is the superb writing and how his characters come to life. They are charming, full of foibles and yet quite lovable! And this is definitely true in this movie as well.

This movie picks up right where the prequel stopped--complete with the same actors. This was possible, as the films were filmed together and came out the same year.

Of the two films, My Mother's Castle is definitely the best--though they are both extraordinary films. What I liked about this film was that it was able to evoke so much emotion within me. For example, near the end I found myself laughing loudly at the scene involving the VERY nasty guard as he gets his comeuppance! Then, only minutes later I was sobbing at the profound sadness about Pagnol's later life (after the main story is over, there is a gut-wrenching epilogue). It's profoundly sad, but since it is based on real life, so necessary.

Watch this film with your entire family--even the cynical members of the family are sure to enjoy!