My Mother's Castle (1990)
"Le château de ma mère" (original title)

Every holiday Marcel and his family go to their cottage in the Provence (France). He likes the hills in this region. Before they arrive at the cottage they have to walk about 5 miles. With ... See full summary »

Director:

Yves Robert

Writers:

Marcel Pagnol (novel), Jérôme Tonnerre (adaptation),

Stars:

Philippe Caubère, Nathalie Roussel, Didier Pain

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philippe Caubère	...	Joseph Pagnol
Nathalie Roussel	...	Augustine Pagnol
Didier Pain	...	Oncle Jules
Thérèse Liotard	...	Tante Rose
Julien Ciamaca	...	Marcel Pagnol
Victorien Delamare	...	Paul Pagnol
Joris Molinas	...	Lili des Bellons
Julie Timmerman	...	Isabelle Cassignole
Paul Crauchet	...	Edmond des Papillons
Philippe Uchan	...	Bouzigue
Patrick Préjean	...	Dominique, le jardinier
Pierre Maguelon	...	François
Michel Modo	...	Le facteur
Jean Carmet	...	Le garde ivrogne
Jean Rochefort	...	Loïs de Montmajour / Adolphe Cassignole

Storyline

Every holiday Marcel and his family go to their cottage in the Provence (France). He likes the hills in this region. Before they arrive at the cottage they have to walk about 5 miles. With the co-operation of an ex-pupil of Marcel's father, who's a teacher, they only have to walk 1 mile, since they can take a shortcut along a canal, through the backyards of some eccentric people. During one of these holidays he meets Isabelle, a pretty but conceited girl...

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Plot Keywords:

holiday | shortcut | provence | hill | canal | 

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Taglines:

Return to childhood in Provence.

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Occitan

Release Date:

September 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Mother's Castle

Filming Locations:

Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Box Office

Gross:

$1,477,071 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont, Gaumont Production, Les Productions de la Guéville

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Marcel Pagnol: Such is the life of a man. Moments of joy, obliterated by unforgettable sadness. There's no need to tell the children that.

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Connections

Follows My Father's Glory (1990)

User Reviews

perhaps the best French film I have ever seen

I really enjoyed this film tremendously. There were no grand special effects, dazzling action or exciting twists--just unbelievably beautiful film-making! This is a biographical tale based on the childhood of the great French director/writer Marcel Pagnol. In fact, it is because of my love of his films that I sought out this videotape and the prequel, My Father's Glory. If you have not seen the Fanny trilogy (or the single film by the same title starring Leslie Caron), The Baker's Wife, Harvest, Manon of the Spring or any of his other films, try to see them!! What makes all these films so wonderful is the superb writing and how his characters come to life. They are charming, full of foibles and yet quite lovable! And this is definitely true in this movie as well.

This movie picks up right where the prequel stopped--complete with the same actors. This was possible, as the films were filmed together and came out the same year.

Of the two films, My Mother's Castle is definitely the best--though they are both extraordinary films. What I liked about this film was that it was able to evoke so much emotion within me. For example, near the end I found myself laughing loudly at the scene involving the VERY nasty guard as he gets his comeuppance! Then, only minutes later I was sobbing at the profound sadness about Pagnol's later life (after the main story is over, there is a gut-wrenching epilogue). It's profoundly sad, but since it is based on real life, so necessary.

Watch this film with your entire family--even the cynical members of the family are sure to enjoy!