What makes it different from others?

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

"The Widow Couderc" from 1971 is a moody, atmospheric piece set in the French countryside post-World War I, starring Alain Delon and Simone Signoret. An odd coupling considering Delon starred with so many va-va-va boom types. Nevertheless, their teaming works well.It is directed by Pierre Granier-Deferre. Based on a novel by George Simenon, Signoret is the widow Tati, who runs the family farm. Her father-in-law lives with her. Across the way are her sister-in-law and husband, who hate her and would do anything to get the farm away from her. Living with them is their daughter Felicie, a young girl with an illegitimate baby.One day a handsome stranger arrives in the area, and the widow hires him to do some work on a temporary basis. It's not long before they become lovers. Little does she know he is an escaped prisoner, Jean Lavigne. Jean notices the nubile Felicie, which makes the widow jealous. Jean and Felicie eventually become lovers as well.However, anxious to get the farm, the widow's family wants anything on him that they can get, and encourage the father-in-law to talk and Felicie to snoop around.This is a tragic story with a vivid look at both farm and village life, and we can see the life of the widow, which is all farm work, and the flippant youth dancing in the village. One gets the impression that her life has been nothing like this as married due to pregnancy, the baby died, and apparently she was raped by her father-in-law, who during the film tries to get into her room when she goes to bed. It also appears that sometimes she lets him in, which is indicative of her loneliness. The village women don't seem to know or want to know her, and when Jean moves in, there is a lot of gossip.What sets this film apart is the detail of the farm work and life in the village and the spare dialogue. I can't see the pace of this going over well with American audiences. The build up is slow; the final scenes are devastating.Signoret is excellent as a vulnerable woman with a tough exterior, protecting her farm as well as herself. Delon is wonderful as a quiet man who inveigles himself into the life of Signoret. I was so happy when he shaved the mustache. When he goes to the village dance, all spiffed up with no mustache, wearing a suit jacket, and with his hair slicked back, he looks like an Italian Vogue model. There is certainly something about the way he smokes a cigarette and tosses it away - he indeed is the essence of smooth and cool.The end has something written about Jean Lavigne that is so convoluted - I would love to know what it actually said.Highly recommended. Someone said the companion film on the Delon disc, Diabolically Yours, is better. Can't agree. This film is superior.

"La Veuve Couderc" comes on a disc that also includes one of Alain Delon's very best films, "Diaboliquement Vôtre"-- truly terrific suspense film. While "Le Veuve Couderc" is not nearly as good, as long as you're watching one of the films, you may as well watch the other. However, just be forewarned that "Le Veuve Couderc" is MUCH slower and may be too slow for some audiences.The film begins with a middle-aged woman (Simon Signoret) being assisted by a traveler (Alain Delon) to carry her new incubator back to the farm. He asks if she has more work and she hires him without knowing more about the man. The widow turns out to be a rather sad character with a sad past--though she doesn't dwell on this. She also has some in-laws that give her no end of trouble. What about Delon? See the film and find out more about the stranger.As I mentioned above, the film is pretty slow. It's well acted BUT perhaps the acting is, at times, a bit too muted. I would have loved some more energy in the film. This doesn't mean you shouldn't watch. It also didn't help that you didn't feel much connection with the characters.By the way, although you probably won't care, the history teacher in me was a bit annoyed because Félicie's hairstyle is NOT period--she looked to be from much later. It's a little thing but I am surprised they didn't catch this.

Being a tutor in French I found this film now almost 40 years old fresh and appealing.The director's hand is evident in every little detail. Two bickering families living on opposite sides of a canal with a drawbridge that had to be raised with every passing barge created the unpleasant atmosphere of harsh words and bitter remarks. It's a wonderful setting of simple pleasures like scything the grass and feeding the hens and chopping the wood and filling the lamps with kerosene. Simone Signoret as the bitter widow Couderc who claimed she had to do all the work around the place was most convincing in her role as she went about her daily chores. Even her walk to the bus showed a certain animosity. She was indeed an unhappy creature yearning for love.How fortunate for her that Jean a handsome prison escapee(Alain Delon) happens along to lend a hand in running the farm and eventually comforts her in her bed. Jean proves to be a real handy man when he sets up an egg incubator to provide lots of chickens in the future. The incubator plays a pivotal role in the whole story. It can be said that the story began with the incubator and ended with the most tragic consequences.As much as I loved the story the overwhelming quality of this film was the sight and sounds of the village atmosphere and how well the actors melted into the daily living. I have never lived in a French village but what I observed in this film seemed pretty authentic to me.The plot takes a nasty turn when Jean's presence is reported to the police by a couple of the spiteful villagers. Excitement takes over as the chase to capture him runs to a thrilling climax. I did wonder though why so many police were involved in his capture. A little bit over the top, methinks, but great for a dramatic finish.

Pierre Granier Deferre is a famous director of thriller films.Apart from scoring admirable box office success most of his films have also been hailed by critics.In the history of French cinema it can be said that "La Veuve Couderc" will be hailed as one of the most successful adaptations of a George Simenon novel.It is a film in which nothing is left to chance.As there is a strong emphasis on the portrayal of characters both small and large,we get to see some remarkable acting performances.Much of the film's brilliance comes from its portrayal of a French village.It is a nice thing that Pierre Granier Deferre has covered every minute detail of French provincial life.Alain Delon and Simone Signoret appear wonderful as ill fated lovers who revolt against old fashioned values of French society.La Veuve Couderc is a film for those people who value the importance of love.In many ways it is similar to Ali fear eats the soul directed by Fassbinder.