Gervaise (1956)
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Emile Zola's obscure novel entitled "L'Assommoir" has been made into several films. This is one of the best. In this two hour movie an entire mini-series worth of problems have been compressed about a young woman to whom life has dealt hard blows. Set in the 19th-century, this woman deals with an alcoholic husband while doing everything within her power to keep the family together. An incredibly depressing movie in which the protagonist keeps on trying no matter what besets her, the performances are creditable and the direction superb. Self-involved characters give viewers no one to cheer for, but this movie received multiple awards, ranging from Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival to an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. The music was composed by Georges Auric. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 117 mins
Complete Cast:
- Maria Schell - Gervaise Macquart
- Armand Mestral - Lantier
- Suzy Delair - Virginie
- Jacques Hilling - Mon. Boche
- Rachel Devirys - Mme. Fauconnier
- Lucien Hubert - M. Poisson
- Jacques Harden - Goujet
- Odette Florelle - Maman Coupeau
- François Perier - Henri Coupeau
- Mathilde Casadesus - Mme. Boche
- Jany Holt - Mme. Lorilleaux
- André Wasley - Pere Colombe
- Jacqueline Morane - Mme. Gaudron
- Hubert DeLapparent - Mon. Lorilleaux
- Helene Tossy - Mme. Bijard
- Micheline Luccioni - Clemence
- Director(s):
- René Clément
- Writer(s):
- Pierre Bost, Jean Aurenche
- Producer(s):
- Annie Dorfmann
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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- 1956 - Gervaise - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Film - Any Source
- 1956 - Gervaise - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Foreign Actor
- 1957 - Gervaise - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Foreign Film
- 1956 - Gervaise - Venice International Film Festival - Volpi Cup for Best Actress
