Manon of the Spring (1986)

A decade after the tragic death of Jean Cadoret, his family has shaped their own destinies: his wife has returned to her former glamour as an opera singer, and his daughter Manon, now a breathtakingly beautiful shepherdess, breathes life into the serene Provencal landscape. Meanwhile, Ugolin, a wealthy bachelor of thirty, spends his days cultivating carnations and nursing his solitary existence, desperate to extend his family lineage under the stern eye of his grandfather, Cesar Soubeyran. Upon spotting Manon in her pastoral solitude, Ugolin is captivated by her beauty, yet the introverted maiden harbors feelings for the local school teacher, Bernard Olivier. The tranquil countryside is disrupted when Manon stumbles upon a secret conversation, revealing the unspeakable deeds of Ugolin and Cesar that led to her father's demise. Burning with a desire for justice, she embarks on a daring plan to avenge her father's death - by cutting off the village's lifeblood—its water supply. As desperation and despair spread among the farmers and townsfolk, the mayor calls on a water specialist from the city, while the local priest orchestrates a precession. Amid the chaos, a secret unravels during a conversation between Cesar and the blind Delphine, shedding new light on his beloved Florette. "Manon of the Spring" weaves an intricate tale of retribution, love, and long-kept secrets set against the backdrop of the picturesque Provencal countryside. It is a mesmerizing sequel that explores the lengths to which one will go for justice and the redemption found in unexpected places.

Manon of the Spring is a drama movie featuring Yves Montand.

Manon of the Spring is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.