The Marseille Trilogy | Part One | MARIUS

A film by Alexander Korda
Cast: Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis, Fernand Charpin, Raimu

France | 1931 | 127 min | Drama, Comedy | Not Rated
French with English subtitles

Marius and Fanny, two young shopkeepers on the harbor front of Marseille, always seemed destined to marry, but Marius cannot overcome his urge to break free and voyage on the open sea. His father, César, is oblivious to the crisis, as is Honoré Panisse, the aged widower who is also vying for Fanny’s hand—until Fanny, knowing Marius’s happiness lies in the balance, changes their lives forever.

Screenplay: Marcel Pagnol
Producers: Robert Kane | Marcel Pagnol
Music: Francis Gromon
Cinematography: Theodore J. Pahle
Editing: Roger Mercanton

“A marvelous old-school carousel.” – Michael Sragow, Film Comment | full review

“What makes Marius so enjoyable more than 85 years after its original release is the comedy and romance.” - John Soltes, Hollywood Soapbox | full review 

“Pagnol’s trilogy begins with its most notable director, Alexandre Korda, the Hungarian born British filmmaker who would come to be known for his English language features (the Vivien Leigh headlined That Hamilton Woman, 1941). Marius sets the tone for the domestic tragedy threading the trilogy together.” - Nicholas Bell, Ion Cinema | full review