Germinal (1993)

90% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(1,749 ratings)

Claude Berri's angry, ambitious epic, based on the 19th-century novel by Emile Zola, re-creates, as does the novel, the gut-wrenching poverty and the intense day-by-day struggles of striking French coal-miners in 1884 at the Voreux mines of France. The film centers upon the bitter toils of Maheu… More Claude Berri's angry, ambitious epic, based on the 19th-century novel by Emile Zola, re-creates, as does the novel, the gut-wrenching poverty and the intense day-by-day struggles of striking French coal-miners in 1884 at the Voreux mines of France. The film centers upon the bitter toils of Maheu (Gerard Depardieu) and his family -- consisting of his iron-willed wife (Miou-Miou) and their daughter Catherine (Judith Henry), who also works in the mines. When a new miner, Etienne Lantier (Renaud), comes to Voreux to seek work, he is befriended by Maheu, who takes him on his mining crew and allows him to stay at his home. Etienne is also an organizer for a new miner's union and, as conditions in the Voreux mines worsen, Etienne convinces Maheu to organize a miner's strike. Meanwhile, Etienne is attracted to Catherine, and Catherine to him, but she doesn't act upon her feelings, taking up, instead, with Chaval (Jean-Roger Milo), a local ne'er do well. As conditions in the mines become more desperate and unsafe, and the owners propose to cut wages, Maheu at last stages a massive strike of the miners. When that happens, the owners send in armed soldiers to defend the mines. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Claude Berri
Written By: Émile Zola, Claude Berri, Arlette Langmann
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Nov 30, 1994
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Deals with a mining strike in 19th century France and comes across as a poignant depiction of class warfare.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
An extremely moving tale that points to the ultimate hopelessness of the human condition.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Big and impressive in its epic scope, Germinal nevertheless suffers from uneven acting, over-the-top histrionics and a constant dark and dour tone.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mike T

A well-made historical epic filled with brutal reality and historical accuracy. Not the best of its genre, but quite entertaining and very informative.
Doctor S

Vividly grim and grimy adaptation of the Emile Zola novel about unionization of French coal miners in the late 1800s. So realistic I contracted black lung from watching it.

Cast

            Gérard Depardieu as Maheu

            Miou-Miou as Maheude

            Jean Carmet as Bonnemort

            Judith Henry as Catherine Maheu

            Jean-Roger Milo as Chaval

            Laurent Terzieff as Souvarine

            Jean-Pierre Bisson as Rasseneur

            Bernard Fresson as Deneulin

            Jacques Dacqmine as M Hennebeau

            Anny Duperey as Mme Hennebeau

            Annick Alane as Madame Gregoire

            Gérard Croce as Maigrat

            André Chaumeau as Company Cashier

            Jenny Clève as Rose

            André Julien as Mouque

            Yolande Moreau as La Levaque

            Fred Personne as Pluchart

            Yvette Petit as Veuve Desir

            Anne Marie Pisani as La Mouquette

            Delphine Quentin as Lucie Deneulin

            Frederique Ruchaud as Honorine

            Georges Staquet as Levaque

            Renaud Danner
            
            Miou Miou
            
            Renaud
            
            Jean Roger Milo
            
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