César (1936)

Honoré Panisse is dying, cheerfully, with friends, wife, and son at his side. He confesses to the priest in front of his friends; he insists that the doctor be truthful. But, he cannot ... See full summary »

Director:

Marcel Pagnol

Writer:

Marcel Pagnol

Stars:

Raimu, Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Raimu	...	César Ollivier
Pierre Fresnay	...	Marius Ollivier
Fernand Charpin	...	Honoré Panisse (as Charpin)
Orane Demazis	...	Fanny
Paul Dullac	...	Félix Escartefigue
Robert Vattier	...	Aldebert Brun
Marcel Maupi	...	Innocent Mangiapan (as Maupi)
Édouard Delmont	...	Le docteur Felicien Venelle (as Delmont)
Milly Mathis	...	Tante Claudine Foulon
Thommeray	...	Elzéar Bonnegrâce - le curé de Saint Victor
Jean Castan	...	L'enfant de choeur
Robert Bassac	...	Pierre Dromard
Alida Rouffe	...	Honorine Cabanis
Rellys	...	L'employé de Panisse
Charblay	...	Henri - le patron du bar de Toulon

Storyline

Honoré Panisse is dying, cheerfully, with friends, wife, and son at his side. He confesses to the priest in front of his friends; he insists that the doctor be truthful. But, he cannot bring himself to tell his son Cesariot that his real father is Marius, the absent son of César, Cesariot's godfather. Panisse leaves that to Fanny, the lad's mother. Dissembling that he's off to see a friend, Cesariot then seeks Marius, now a mechanic in Toulon. Posing as a journalist, Cesariot spends time with Marius and leaves believing tales he is a petty thief. Only after the truth comes out can Marius, Fanny, César, and Cesariot step beyond the falsehoods, benign though they may be.

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Plot Keywords:

marseille | marseille provence | one word title | young wife | sailor | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

27 October 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cezar

Filming Locations:

Les Lecques, Gard, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Marcel Pagnol

Technical Specs

Runtime:

168 min 138 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Odette Roger is credited in the opening credits as "la bonne de l'hotel" (the hotel maid) but does not appear in the film. The hotel sequence was cut out of the final print.

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Quotes

Honoré Panisse: One can't live without doing wrong.

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Connections

Follows Marius (1931)

User Reviews

Sharp conclusion to a movie series

The above mentioned movie is the final part of a 3 part series of which Maurius and Fanny were the predecessors. Out of the 3, I like this one the best. One, the very good actor, Raimu gets to step out of the background and take the lead. Two, it wraps up all the pieces that have been set up in the previous movies, as the major theme of life goes on, and destiny must not be avoided, despite of silly human follies of pride, societal scorn and by-law morals. A charming family movie, all at once, an unsentimental love story sporadically. Raimu delivers monologues here that define the character and the nature of the others. Also, I must the add, the son of Fanny and Maurius is very well played. Pagnol must be applauded for bringing his hit play to the screen. A musical movie was made in the sixties starring Leslie Caron which put all three plays into one movie titled Fanny. I remember as being sporadically entertaining with its deep sets and lush technicolor. But this is the one to watch. Pagnol use of outdoor sets is invigorating for early sound cinema and his camera is an unobtrusive detailer and watcher. A fine movie forgotten but worth remembering.