The Marseille Trilogy

Playwright, novelist, screenwriter, producer, and director Marcel Pagnol's Fanny trilogy, a nearly-seven-hour epic of waterfront life in Marseilles, France, is long overdue for re-recognition. A simple tale, Pagnol's story revolves around a young man named Marius (Pierre Fresnay) who lusts for the sea; Fanny (Orane Demazis), the woman who loves him; and his lovable bear of a father Cesar (an amazing comic performance by Raimu), with the three character's names also doubling as the titles of the three films (in that order, made in 1931, 1932, and 1936). The basic plot involves Fanny becoming pregnant on the eve of Marius' departure on a ship, an elderly shopkeeper wedding her to save her honor, and the complications that arise when Marius prematurely returns. What makes this trilogy so special is character--the smitten Marius (whose mistress is the sea); the feisty Fanny, who suffers immeasurably before she is rewarded with happiness; and the crochety, but fiercely loving Cesar, who wins the audience's undying devotion whether he's lying, cheating at cards, or scheming with Fanny's mother to get the two lovebirds together. For Cesar, there are no insurmountable obstacles in life--you simply spit in your palms, and bluster your way through. The story falters a bit in the final act, when Pagnol succumbs to verbosity over character, and Cesar is shorn of some of his comic brilliance, but--overall--the series is a masterpiece of early cinema. In its initial release on VHS some 15 years ago, the image was passable at best, while the subtitles were often impossible to read. While still marred with some dirt and imperfections, Kino's DVD release of The Fanny Trilogy represents a huge improvement, and the handsomely packaged four-disc set includes some very nice extras as well: a 74-minute retrospective documentary about the trilogy, abbreviated archival commentary by Pagnol himself on all three films, and posters and stills galleries. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—June 27, 2017—Criterion, 395 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: 4 discs, $99.95; Blu-ray: 3 discs, $99.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1931's Marius, 1932's Fanny, and 1936's César all feature great transfers and uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-ray release. Extras on Marius include an interview with Nicolas Pagnol, grandson of writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol (30 min.), a “Pagnol's Poetic Realism” new video essay by scholar Brett Bowles (30 min.), and an intro by filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier (20 min.). Extras on Fanny include segments from the 1973 documentary series “Marcel Pagnol: Morceaux choisis.” Extras on César include a 1935 “Marseille” short by Pagnol (13 min.), archival interviews with costars Robert Vattier (11 min.), Pierre Fresnay (7 min.), and Orane Demazis (4 min.), and a 2015 French TV clip about the new restoration (3 min.). Also included is an essay by film critic Michael Atkinson and excerpts from Pagnol's introductions to his plays and screenplays. Bottom line: an excellent edition of Pagnol's wonderful classic trilogy.]