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Gérard Depardieu, Miou-Miou, Jean Carmet, Judith Henry, Jean-Roger Milo ... see more see more... , Laurent Terzieff , Jean-Pierre Bisson , Bernard Fresson , Jacques Dacqmine , Anny Duperey , Annick Alane , Gérard Croce , André Chaumeau , Jenny Clève , André Julien , Yolande Moreau , Fred Personne , Yvette Petit , Anne Marie Pisani , Delphine Quentin , Frederique Ruchaud , Georges Staquet , Renaud Danner , Miou Miou , Renaud , Jean Roger Milo

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 co... read more read more...al-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

Flixster Users

70% liked it

1,748 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

10 critics

R, 2 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Claude Berri

Release Date: January 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: November 30, 1994

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Stats: 67 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (67)

  • michaelcorleone
    May 22, 2007
    michaelcorleone
    A well-made historical epic filled with brutal reality and historical accuracy. Not the best of its genre, but quite entertaining and very informative.
  • DrStrangeblog
    January 31, 2012
    DrStrangeblog
    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.

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Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 22, 2002
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. Full Review

Steve Rhodes
January 1, 2000
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

An extremely moving tale that points to the ultimate hopelessness of the human condition. Full Review

Chris Hicks
January 1, 2000
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. Full Review

Lisa Nesselson
March 26, 2009
Lisa Nesselson, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Philip Martin
July 8, 2005
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
June 29, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
January 14, 2005
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

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