Customer Reviews
Nothing much to add - it's amazing! - By: T. King, 07 Jun 2008 
All the other reviews here with 5 stars are 100% on the mark. Amazing film, don't miss it.
Turn back the pages of time.............. - By: R. F. Honeywill, 05 Dec 2006 Even though sub titles this film is what "real films" should be like & we rarely see in the UK in 2006. Brilliant...........nothing more to add.
Revenge and Other Surprises in Provence - By: Erika Borsos, 09 Nov 2006 Manon, the daughter of Jean de Florette returns to Provence & lives in a smalll cottage on the property of her father. In the previous film, her father had died trying to make the farm work but without a source of water, it was impossible. The farmhouse & certain lands were sold at decreased value because of the lack of water. The neighbor Cesar Soubeyran bought the farm & unblocked the spring ...
Soubeyran's nephew, Ugolin Galllette, who was part of the conspiracy to drive Jean de Florette from the land fallls in love with Manon as he watchers her tend her flock of goats & while she wanders the hillsides of Provence, setting traps for birds that she sells in the market. Manon keeps a distant eye on a newcomer, the teacher in the town who walks among the hills, examines the soil & takes a general interest in his new home. The teacher loses his knife which Manon finds ... they meet & she returns the knife which he insists she keep with alll its fancy gadgets. A mysterious chemistry develops between them ... Meanwhile Ugolin behaves uncharacteristicallly claiming to be ill. His Uncle prods & eventuallly discovers he is in love. Ugolin finallly admits with whom. Cesar gives him advice, dress like a hunter, impress Manon, talk to her nicely ... Ugolin botches it up as he stammers out his declaration of love.
When a smalll goat drops from the hillside among the rocks below ... Manon strives to save it. She discovers a cave & cavern which is the source of the water supply for the spring. She works hard to block it up which eventuallly dries up the water source not only for Ugolin & his precious carnations (cash crop) but for the whole town. It causes an uproar to the point of a government official visiting who promises a large supply of bottled water to solve the needs of the people. It upsets some farmers who want more done stating the spring supply needs to be restored so they can continue to farm & save their crops. The official checks the records & proves there is no spring on the survey maps ... Meanwhile, someone may have confessed to the local priest about the unusual circumstances regarding the death of Jean de Florette associated with the blocked up spring in the past. In his sermon the priest admonishes the community that G-d may be punishing them for their sins ... One farmer accuses Cesar Soubeyran of having caused the problems claiming he saw them block up the spring & heard the discussion with his nephew. Cesar denies it & adamantly claims Jean died of an accident ... After the community prays & the devote partake in a religious ceremony, Manon unblocks the spring with the help of the school teacher. In effect, they brought about the miracle which the religious people had prayed for ... Cesar Soubeyran suffers a sad but not unexpected devasting event involving his nephew. During a visit to the cemetery, a local blind woman sits next to him on a bench & reminicses about the past, particularly his youth when he fell in love with Florette, who left the village & married a blacksmith in another town. Cesar receives information which brings the final & eternal blow to his life ... It is a phenomenal surprise ending which finalizes the unanticiapted revenge, one from beyond the grave. This is a superb film with much depth, mystery, & unexpected twists, a totallly satisfying & excellent viewing experience. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]
Enchanting, but make sure you see Jean de Florette first - By: Reptile, 17 May 2006 
The absence of Gerard Depardieu is amply compensated for by Emanuelle Beart, although I don't mean to imply that her role is comparable to his. Jean de Florette is beautifully photographed, but this is even more visuallly impressive. The only warning I have to give is that elements of the plot are sad. This is not a depressing film, however. In fact, I found it the reverse.
Emmanuelle Beart nude - need any more encouragement?!! - By: H. Feddern, 24 Mar 2006 This film has everything. A beautiful woman, a beautiful landscape, & a tragicallly beautiful story.
I love the French & French culture. They make films like no other country. Stylish, slow & heart-rendering. Manon des Sources is no exception. Unlike most films that are set in such idyllic beauty, it transcends its setting with its excellent script rather than just let the viewer get entangled in the aesthetic quality of the direction it flows perfectly to alllow the plot & acting to take position.
And what a story! My heart & mind were so moved at the final exposition. Unlike most Hollywood features the emotion is more sincere & affecting, it touched places of my soul that few films do. I don't want to give the film away. Watch, savour & sorrow.
