Whirlpool of Fate (1925)
"La fille de l'eau" (original title)

After the death of her father and her uncle had drunk all the heritage, Virginia is left alone. She is accepted by a family of bohemians but a quarrel between the bohemians and the peasants... See full summary »

Director:

Jean Renoir

Writer:

Pierre Lestringuez

Stars:

Catherine Hessling, Charlotte Clasis, Pierre Champagne

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Catherine Hessling	...	Virginia Rosaert
Charlotte Clasis	...	Madame Maubien
Pierre Champagne	...	Justin Crepoix
Maurice Touzé	...	La Fuine
Georges Térof	...	Monsieur Raynal
Madame Fockenberghe	...	Madame Raynal
Harold Levingston	...	Georges Raynal
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
André Derain	...	Patron du 'Bon Coin'
Van Doren	...	Young lover
Pierre Lestringuez	...	Jef
Henriette Moret	...	La Roussette
Pierre Renoir	...	Farmer

Storyline

After the death of her father and her uncle had drunk all the heritage, Virginia is left alone. She is accepted by a family of bohemians but a quarrel between the bohemians and the peasants coerce her to flee the peasant's riot. She is then helped by the son Raynal who fall in love with her but is too shy to tell her. Sheltered by his father, she is robbed by her uncle of the money M. Raynal gived her to pay a bill in the village. He and his son then believed she's a thief.

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Plot Keywords:

thief | village | homelessness | poaching | automobile | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

20 March 1925 (France)

Also Known As:

Whirlpool of Fate

Filming Locations:

Bords du Loing, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Jean Renoir

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Hugo (2011)

User Reviews

Although a simple story, it's gorgeously filmed and directed--and well worth seeing.

This film is from the DVD collection from Criterion and it's the earliest of the films by director Jean Renoir in the package. Naturally, being made in 1925 it's a silent film--and it's really one of the better ones from the era. Now this is not because the story has a huge budget or complex plot. No, it's very simple and direct. But, it also is masterfully composed--with some wonderful film work and lots of skill in such a young director.

The story begins with a young lady (Catherine Hessling) living on a barge with her father and uncle. When the father unexpectedly dies, her life falls to pieces as the uncle is scum--complete and total scum. She flees for her life and to avoid being raped and lands in the lap of a 'bohemian' (in this case, really just a thief who shuns work) and you know she can do better. However, when the bohemian and his mother take off, Hessling is all alone and without any resources. What will become of her? Tune in and see for yourself.

The film works well for some reasons other than just the fine direction and cinematography. Hessling's amazing eyes really catch your attention. They practically glow and really give her a gorgeous expression. Also, all the nice location shooting in the countryside was terrific--like a window into a lost way of life. Well worth seeing and well-constructed.