by Eleanor Mannikka
synopsis
This is a routine comedy by novice director and novelist Jean Giono about Jules (Fernandel) a wily French peasant who dallies with a local widow and enjoys spats with his fellow sheepherders. One day he comes across a hidden stash of money and throws a party for all his friends, making them jealous over his newfound fortune. Then he plays a worse trick on them by handing over the money to everyone, confounding their assumptions about their entrenched rivalry. In the end, Jules has the last laugh, because a close look at the currency reveals a startling new fact that sheds light on his strange behavior.
characteristics
- Windfall [monetary]
- Shepherd
- Party
