Picnic on the Grass (1959)
"Le déjeuner sur l'herbe" (original title)

Etienne Alexis, a candidate for president of the new Europe, is a scientist promoting artificial insemination for social betterment and therapy to eliminate passion. His wealthy household (... See full summary »

Director:

Jean Renoir

Writer:

Jean Renoir (scenario)

Stars:

Paul Meurisse, Charles Blavette, André Brunot

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Meurisse	...	Etienne Alexis
Charles Blavette	...	Gaspard (as Blavette)
André Brunot	...	Le Curé
Régine Blaess	...	Claire (as Régine Blaes)
Marguerite Cassan	...	Mme Poignant
Robert Chandeau	...	Laurent
Jacques Danoville	...	Mr. Poignant
Hélène Duc	...	Isabelle
Paulette Dubost	...	Forestier
Ghislaine Dumont	...	Magda
Jacqueline Fontel	...	Michelet
Micheline Gary	...	Madeleine
Jean-Pierre Granval	...	Ritou
Michel Herbault	...	Moutet
Raymond Jourdan	...	Eustache

Storyline

Etienne Alexis, a candidate for president of the new Europe, is a scientist promoting artificial insemination for social betterment and therapy to eliminate passion. His wealthy household (his family owns chemical corporations that will profit from his ideas) is stiff, intellectual, and sterile. To celebrate his engagement to a German cousin, he hosts an aseptic picnic, where mother nature asserts herself. A shepherd's flute conjures a windstorm that throws Alexis together with the luscious Nénette, a farm lass who wants to have a baby but is unimpressed with men.

---

Plot Keywords:

nature | picnic | artificial insemination | biology | citroën d s | 

---

Taglines:

Here is a Film That Breaks Every Rule and Divides the Audiences Into Joyful Accomplises and Embarassed Prigs...

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

11 November 1959 (France)

Also Known As:

Lunch on the Grass

Filming Locations:

Auvergne, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnie Jean Renoir

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Cinéastes de notre temps: Jean Renoir le patron, 1re partie: La recherche du relatif (1967)

User Reviews

Love can be found

Seeing this film enhanced my appreciation of life. It reminded me of Cyrano De Bergerac. A theme I enjoyed: love between rich and poor can indeed exist. And also, I also liked how beautifully love was depicted.

One's appreciation for human relations is bettered.