Germinal (1993)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  160 Minutes (Edited: 151 Minutes)

Rated: R

Genre: Drama, Romance

Director: Claude Berri

Starring: Renaud, Gérard Depardieu, Miou-Miou, Jean Carmet, Judth Henry, Jean-Roger Milo

IMDB Rank: 7.1 /10

Part 1 Time: 105 Minutes (Edited: 100 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  55 Minutes (Edited: 51 Minutes)

* The VHS format breaks at the 87 minute mark, as Chaval (Jean-Roger Milo) is brought to Victor Deneulin’s (Bernard Fresson) office. However a better intermission point would be later in the film following the uprising at the Jean-Bart mine and the town of Montsou. Since there is no official intermission the later break point will be used.

Where does the first part end? The miners and their families scatter as the police arrive in Montsou to stop the uprising.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Run, don’t get caught,” Maheude (Miou- Miou) states to Toussaint Maheu (Gérard Depardieu) and Étienne Lantier (Renaud).

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Jeanlin?” states Étienne Lantier as Jeanlin Maheu (Albano Guaetta) returns from surveying the mine site.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, the miners are in full strike mode as they attempt to get better wages. With many of the workers and their families now unable to feed themselves the strike is becoming increasingly violent. Will a deal be reached between the workers and the mine owners?

Which part is better? The film takes place during the 19th century as coal miners face hard working conditions with little wages. The workers begin to unionize in an attempt to better their wages. Part two is better as the conflict between the workers and bosses continues to escalate leading to tragedy on both sides.

Academy Awards: None

Other Awards: 1994 César Awards- Best Film (Nominated), Best Actress (Nominated- Miou Miou), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Jean Roger Milo), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated- Judith Henry), Best Director (Nominated), Best Screenplay Original or Adaptation (Nominated), Best Music (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Winner), Best Production Design (Nominated), Best Costume Design (Winner), Best Editing (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated)