The Man Who Planted Trees (1987)
"L'homme qui plantait des arbres" (original title)

The story of one shepherd's long and successful singlehanded effort to re-forest a desolate valley.

Director:

Frédéric Back

Writers:

Jean Giono (story), Jean Roberts (translator: English version)

Stars:

Philippe Noiret, Christopher Plummer

Won 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Philippe Noiret	...	Récitant / Narrator (voice)
Christopher Plummer	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

This film tells the story of a shepard who repairs the ruined ecosystem of a secluded valley by singlehandedly cultivating a forest over a thirty year period.

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Plot Keywords:

forest | france | shepherd | acorn | based on story | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Drama | Family

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

French

Release Date:

11 June 1988 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Man Who Planted Trees

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Société Radio-Canada

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jean Giono, the author of the short story upon which the movie is based, wrote the story after American editors in 1953 asked him to write a few pages about an unforgettable character. They intended him to write about a real unforgettable character, but he created the fictional Elezeard Bouffier. When the editors objected that no Bouffier had died in Banon, he donated the story to all humanity. It was soon after published by Vogue in 1954. Many people have assumed that Bouffier is a real person.

User Reviews

Silent Hero Of The Land

This is one of the most inspirational shows to find anywhere. It's virtually impossible to think of all the great things man can do until it is done during the little time we have here on this earth.

This is an account of a true story about a french man named Elezeard Bouffier. We are given narration from the author of his journey through a French desert just before WWI along with accounts of his visits after the war. Elezeard begins as a shepherd who decides to plant trees to pass time and give life back to the land. Later his work grows and becomes protected by the French government in order to preserve a beautiful forest.

Shown few times for Public Broadcast, this story has caught the attention of many people to which it has given them hope and a sense of mortality. A wonderful addition to any video collection. It has something everyone can learn from and is entertaining to watch over and over again.