This novel was the seventh in the Rougon-Macquart series ,and along with "Germinal " ,the writer's most popular work;today ,only René Clément's "Gervaise " (1955) is well known ,although it might be too clean ,at least to my eyes.The other versions have fallen into oblivion.
This one transferred a dense novel ( about 400 pages) to a 38 min medium length feature,which was quite an achievement ;later,Cappelani would adapt "Germinal " ,but it would be a very long silent movie.
For many readers ,the main difference is Virginie's role ;she sabotages the scaffold and causes Coupeau's fall;she brings Lantier into Gervaise's house during her birthday feast;she substitutes a bottle of alcohol for a bottle of wine ,causing Coupeau's death.
These invented events were necessary to plunge Gervaise and her family into misfortune ,given the running time of the film .
The Lorilleux family and Maman Coupeau are absent ,but blacksmith Goujet is featured ,probably to assure a (relative) happy end :people not familiar with the novel will assume he will marry her )
All the great moments of the novel are featured :
-the wash house and the women's fight ,although no spanking.
-the wedding (the subtitle reads "engagement" ).
-Coupeau in the "Assommoir" (grogshop).
-Gervaise' s birthday feast ,my favorite chapter in the novel,which is at once the heroine's apex and the beginning of her fall.
-Coupeau 's final fit of delirium Tremens (which does not take place in the hospital ).
Zola's readers may be interested in this silent movie.
This one transferred a dense novel ( about 400 pages) to a 38 min medium length feature,which was quite an achievement ;later,Cappelani would adapt "Germinal " ,but it would be a very long silent movie.
For many readers ,the main difference is Virginie's role ;she sabotages the scaffold and causes Coupeau's fall;she brings Lantier into Gervaise's house during her birthday feast;she substitutes a bottle of alcohol for a bottle of wine ,causing Coupeau's death.
These invented events were necessary to plunge Gervaise and her family into misfortune ,given the running time of the film .
The Lorilleux family and Maman Coupeau are absent ,but blacksmith Goujet is featured ,probably to assure a (relative) happy end :people not familiar with the novel will assume he will marry her )
All the great moments of the novel are featured :
-the wash house and the women's fight ,although no spanking.
-the wedding (the subtitle reads "engagement" ).
-Coupeau in the "Assommoir" (grogshop).
-Gervaise' s birthday feast ,my favorite chapter in the novel,which is at once the heroine's apex and the beginning of her fall.
-Coupeau 's final fit of delirium Tremens (which does not take place in the hospital ).
Zola's readers may be interested in this silent movie.