The Proud Ones (1980)
"Le cheval d'orgueil" (original title)

In early twentieth-century Brittany, two peasants marry, have a son, and live in traditional Breton ways: three generations under one roof, a division of labor between the sexes, elders' ... See full summary »

Director:

Claude Chabrol

Writers:

Pierre-Jakez Helias (based on the book by), Daniel Boulanger (adaptation)

Stars:

Jacques Dufilho, Bernadette Le Saché, François Cluzet

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jacques Dufilho	...	Alain, le grand-père
Bernadette Le Saché	...	Anne-Marie, la mère
François Cluzet	...	Pierre-Alain, le père
Paul Le Person	...	Gourgon, le facteur
Pierre Le Rumeur	...	Le conteur
Michel Robin	...	Le marquis
Ronan Hubert	...	Pierre-Jacques à 7 ans
Armel Hubert	...	Pierre-Jacques à 11 ans
Dominique Lavanant	...	Marie-Jeanne, la sage-femme
Michel Blanc	...	Corentin Calvez
Georges Wilson	...	Récitant / Narrator (voice)
Jean-Claude Bouillaud
Laurence Caubet
Jacques Chailleux	...	Jeannot les mille métiers
Odile Chapal

Storyline

In early twentieth-century Brittany, two peasants marry, have a son, and live in traditional Breton ways: three generations under one roof, a division of labor between the sexes, elders' stories at night, politics and religion during their little free time. Times are hard: la Chienne du Monde drives some to suicide; Ankou (death) is close at hand. Pierre is born into this republican family, his lyric childhood interrupted by the outbreak of war and his father's conscription. He learns his catechism and, as a child of a Reds, also reveres school. His grandfather and father often put him on their shoulders, giving him a ride on the horse of pride.

---

Plot Keywords:

grandfather | peasant | horse | brittany | childhood | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

December 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Horse of Pride

Filming Locations:

Quimper, Finistère, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bela Productions, TF1, Planfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

User Reviews

Three generations of life in Brittany

Based on a novel by Pierre-Jakez Hélias. A small Breton community before and during the First World War – mostly very idyllic, despite periods of hard luck, poverty and despair (la chienne de monde). The young couple (both blessed with lovely smiles) and their child, the narrator. Many sweet and funny scenes, as well as a few sad ones. The soft-hearted postman cannot bear to read letters bringing bad news. The title comes from a family saying; they're too poor to own a horse, but they have the horse of pride – the child rides on his father's shoulders. Better than any horse, the boy says at the end. There is tension in the schools about speaking French, not Breton. The family are reds, proud and liberty-loving. Beautiful pace, photography, costumes...