The Guardians (2017)

Women are left behind to work a family farm during the Great War.

Director:

Xavier Beauvois

Writers:

Xavier Beauvois (scenario), Frédérique Moreau (scenario)

Stars:

Nathalie Baye, Laura Smet, Iris Bry

11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nathalie Baye	...	Hortense Sandrail
Laura Smet	...	Solange
Iris Bry	...	Francine Riant
Cyril Descours	...	Georges Sandrail
Gilbert Bonneau	...	Henri Sandrail
Olivier Rabourdin	...	Clovis
Nicolas Giraud	...	Constant Sandrail
Mathilde Viseux	...	Marguerite Sandrail (as Mathilde Viseux-Ely)
Xavier Maly	...	Edgar
Marie-Julie Maille	...	La Monette
Madeleine Beauvois	...	Jeanne, la fille de la Monette
Alain Artur	...	Le maire
Adrien Denizou	...	Le maire de la Monette
Yann Bean	...	John - un soldat américain
Michel Lamy	...	Le père

Storyline

1915. Life at the Paridier farm has changed dramatically since the men of the family (Constant, Georges and Clovis) left home to go and fight on the front line. Hortense Sandrail, Henri and Constant's mother and Clovis' mother-in-law, has taken over courageously but, although helped by her daughter Solange, she finds it hard to get by with all the workload. When harvest time comes, she makes up her mind to hire a farmhand but she is too late and no man is available. The mayor then recommends her an orphan named Francine Riant, who could do. Hortense agrees and the choice soon appears a blessing, as the girl proves perfect: well-mannered and respectful, she is also a hard worker who does not balk at any task. Hortense, Solange and her form an effective trio, who make the most of the situation. One day, Georges comes back to the farm on leave and he falls in love with Francine.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | widows | countryside | pregnancy | f rated | 

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Taglines:

France 1915. Men on the battlefield. Women on the homefront.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie starring Nathalie Baye and her real life daughter Laura Smet was released the very same day Johnny Halliday died. He was the ex husband of the first and the father of the second.

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Goofs

In the opening scene, which is set in 1915, the dead German soldiers are wearing the later style helmets that were not introduced until at least a year later.

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Soundtracks

La Chanson des Blés d'Or
Music by Frédéric Doria
Lyrics by Camille Soubise and L. Lemaître
Sung by Iris Bry

User Reviews

Nontraditional Female World War I Characters

Roles for women in First World War films are usually restricted to lovers left behind, grieving mothers or romantic trysts. Here the camera lingers on different female characters who fought a different kind of war.

Hortense and her daughter Solange are running a farm in the absence of male relatives. Desperate for a farmhand, Hortense reluctantly hires an orphan, Francine, who turns out to be perfect for the job. Amiable, responsible and a hard worker, everyone loves her. But they love her too much, for jealousy raises its ugly head. The family, out of fear that she might not love them as much as they love her, drives Francine away. Francine initially takes it in stride, as she habitually does, singing, writing, working, not giving up on love, and happy despite adversity. It is then that Francine discovers she is pregnant which could lead her back to the family farm, deeper in misfortune, or something beyond both.

The Guardians is a unique, unexpected and fascinating take on World War I. The feeling of just how good it is builds and near the ending it hit me like a sudden and strong wind. I loved watching and listening to Francine sing so happily, despite her pain. It gives meaning to Shakespeare's words; "when we for recompense have praised the vile, it stains the glory in that happy verse which aptly sings the good." The Guardians includes fantastic cinematography, wonderful wardrobes and stellar performances, especially by the leads. The front line of the war and the tragic sacrifice of soldiers there, looms in the background as one of the sub themes. Recently available on Netflix.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site [France] Official site [Japan]

Country:

Switzerland France Belgium

Language:

French English

Release Date:

4 May 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Guardians

Filming Locations:

Montrol-Sénard, Haute-Vienne, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,479, 6 May 2018

Gross USA:

$177,331

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,167,608

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Worso, Pathé, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (as Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1