Germinal (1963) - film review

Etienne Lantier is a railway worker who loses his job as a result of his union activities.  He finds work at the mines in Voreux and lodges with the Maheu family.  The work is hard, dangerous and badly paid.  Like many other families in the area, the Maheus are in debt.  Fortunately, Maigrat, the grocer, offers them credit from time to time.  The mine manager Hennebeau always wants more from his workers for less pay.  There is an on-going feud between Hennebeau and his engineer Negrel, who is Madame Hennebeau’s lover.  Lantier is in love with his landlord’s daughter Catherine, but he has a rival in Chaval, an old friend of Catherine who believes he has a stronger claim to her.  Things come to a head when Hennebeau refuses to negotiate with the miners.  The latter have no choice but to go on strike.  The situation soon gets out of hand.  Maigrat’s shop is destroyed and several strikers are shot dead...
© Willems Henri (Brussels, Belgium)

Write a review for this film...

What do you think of this film?