Fernandel is Don Camillio, the reactionary village priest. Gino Cervi is Giuseppe 'Peppone' Bottazzi, the communist mayor and the fierce opponent of of Camillio. In their own little world, they engage in a fierce and time-honored struggle for the hearts, minds, souls and well-being of their community. Cervi has his organization and supporters. Camillio only only the voice of G*d to narrate the events and to reproach him when he fails in his work; however, since it's Orson Welles' voice, the honors are more than even in this loving little film by Julien Duvivier.
It's an odd film from Duvivier, whose movies often celebrated the unseen hand of fate, leading men to destruction. Yet in this movie, everyone knows who they are and what is important, even if they disagree fiercely. So the old teacher rails against stupidity and hopes for a pension; the young lovers re-enact Romeo and Juliet; and the communist brings his newborn child to be baptized as Giuseppi Stalin.
Perhaps it is the inherent humility of these people that makes Duvivier adore them. They do not fight their fates, but recognizing it, do their best within it. Duvivier made a sequel, and Fernandel repeated the role four times, his lugubrious face making him the perfect parish priest.
It's an odd film from Duvivier, whose movies often celebrated the unseen hand of fate, leading men to destruction. Yet in this movie, everyone knows who they are and what is important, even if they disagree fiercely. So the old teacher rails against stupidity and hopes for a pension; the young lovers re-enact Romeo and Juliet; and the communist brings his newborn child to be baptized as Giuseppi Stalin.
Perhaps it is the inherent humility of these people that makes Duvivier adore them. They do not fight their fates, but recognizing it, do their best within it. Duvivier made a sequel, and Fernandel repeated the role four times, his lugubrious face making him the perfect parish priest.