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The Children of the Marshland

Original title: Les enfants du marais
  • 1999
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
The Children of the Marshland (1999)
ComedyDrama

A chronicle of a group of friends in rural France between the wars. Garris and Riton live in the marshlands along the banks of the Loire river. Riton is afflicted with a bad-tempered wife an... Read allA chronicle of a group of friends in rural France between the wars. Garris and Riton live in the marshlands along the banks of the Loire river. Riton is afflicted with a bad-tempered wife and three unruly children. Garris lives alone with his recollections of World War I trenches... Read allA chronicle of a group of friends in rural France between the wars. Garris and Riton live in the marshlands along the banks of the Loire river. Riton is afflicted with a bad-tempered wife and three unruly children. Garris lives alone with his recollections of World War I trenches. Their daily life consists of seasonal work and visits from their two pals: Tane, the loc... Read all

  • Director
    • Jean Becker
  • Writers
    • Sébastien Japrisot
    • Georges Montforez
  • Stars
    • Jacques Villeret
    • Jacques Gamblin
    • André Dussollier
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    3.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jean Becker
    • Writers
      • Sébastien Japrisot
      • Georges Montforez
    • Stars
      • Jacques Villeret
      • Jacques Gamblin
      • André Dussollier
    • 21User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations total

    Photos8

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    Top cast40

    Edit
    Jacques Villeret
    Jacques Villeret
    • Riton
    Jacques Gamblin
    Jacques Gamblin
    • Garriss
    André Dussollier
    André Dussollier
    • Amédée
    Michel Serrault
    Michel Serrault
    • Pépé la Rainette
    Isabelle Carré
    Isabelle Carré
    • Marie
    Éric Cantona
    Éric Cantona
    • Jo Sardi
    Suzanne Flon
    Suzanne Flon
    • Old Cri Cri
    Jacques Dufilho
    Jacques Dufilho
    • Old man
    Gisèle Casadesus
    Gisèle Casadesus
    • Madame Mercier
    Roland Magdane
    Roland Magdane
    • Félix
    Élisabeth Commelin
    • Marthe
    • (as Elisabeth Commelin)
    Julie Marboeuf
    • Emilie
    Jenny Clève
    Jenny Clève
    • Berthe
    Philippe Magnan
    Philippe Magnan
    • Laurent
    Jacques Boudet
    Jacques Boudet
    • Tane
    Marlene Baffier
    • Cri Cri Pignol jeune
    Romain Dreyfus
    • Pierrot de la ville
    Jacques Chaillier
    • Pierrot du marais
    • Director
      • Jean Becker
    • Writers
      • Sébastien Japrisot
      • Georges Montforez
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    7.43.2K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9gardner-8

    Francophiles, see this movie - it's gorgeous

    I found this two-hour long story of friendship absorbing and deeply satisfying. It's a feast for the eyes, and hearing the French language tumbling over you adds to the atmosphere - you can almost smell it too. The French countryside is lovely to look at and the simplicity of the main protagonists' lives is beguiling (admittedly the weather always seemed close to perfect!). It's a nostalgic, evocative look at the past with realistic, thoroughly likeable characters.
    9ereinion

    Beautifully shot and featuring splendid performances

    This movie, in Norway titled "Summer in the Loire valley", is most likely the best one Eric Cantona ever starred in and he does a good job as the disgraced boxer Jo Sardi looking for revenge in the Loire valley. What really makes this film a treat is the beautiful landscapes, excellent photography and also the splendid performances by Cantona and others. It also has a good story which is interesting to follow. This is a heartwarming movie to enjoy on any night.

    It is almost worth a 10, but I give it a 9 because the story is not engaging enough. This was obviously a film that was made for a wide audience and therefore has a lighter tone. Still, it is nonetheless a very good film which gives us Cantona at his best. And that is a reason enough to watch it.
    marcoschwartz

    Sensitive, funny, intelligent, beautiful. Unmissable

    A little French gem that wraps you up in the lives of a group of friends in the 1920´s in France. Wonderfully acted and superbly directed, the story meanders gently through a number of seasons tracing their friendship and "amours", interlacing the finely drawn characters and sub-plots with consummate skill. At no time does the story flag, or become convoluted and the ending is simple and uncontrived. The photography is superb and reminiscent of "Manon des Sources"; Eric Cantona is surprisingly good as a champion boxer and even enlarges on his 1996 Selhurst Park performance. You will emerge from this extraordinary film edified and enriched and thanking the heavens that Hollywood isn´t the only place that makes films.
    10yngvaso

    Magnificent

    This little french gem of a film is in fact one of the best films I have ever seen. It is a story about true friendship and devotion and it shows what we who live in the so-called modern world have lost. Everything about the film is just perfect. It is funny, moving, filmed in a beautiful setting and yes,even Cantona makes a strong performance. Even though I am not an anti Hollywood "besserwisser" it is good to see films like this which main focus is to tell a really good story and to make you feel good. Yes, I now that this is a cliché but it is just what this film does to your brain. See it and understand what should be the most important things in your life.

    Highly recommended.
    10tomlevi

    Picturesque - a must see!

    A masterpiece from Jean Becker, 'Les Enfants du Marais' is a stunning celebration of the spirit of the common man. The film features an admirable performance by Michel Serrault as 'Pépé', set in the picturesque French countryside. Dreujou's breath-taking photography makes the film a must for any French-loving film-goer.

    A real feel good movie.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      At one point,there is a yellow letterbox in the background . Letterboxes were not yellow in France before the Sixties.
    • Quotes

      Amédée: Being free, in short, is not doing nothing, but being the sole decider of what to do or what not to do.

    • Connections
      Featured in Strawberry on the Shortcake: Episode #1.2 (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      West End Blues
      Written by Clarence Williams, Joe Oliver

      Performed by Louis Armstrong

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    FAQ17

    • How long is The Children of the Marshland?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1999 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • France
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Sommar vid Loire
    • Production companies
      • France 3 Cinéma
      • Les Films Christian Fechner
      • Rhone-Alps Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $324,006
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $47,170
      • Oct 3, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $324,006
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 55m(115 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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