I would not go so far as the previous reviewer to say that this is one of Pagnol's most endearing films.
It is a simple enough story: M. Blanchard, a distant teacher in a boys' school, agrees to do dorm duty on Christmas eve for those poor students whose families, for whatever reason, have left them there that night. The students are in the habit of making fun of him because of his strange appearance, but while they sleep, he leaves each of them a gift, realizing how unhappy they are not to be spending Christmas with their families. The next morning, when they discover this, the boys change their attitude toward him and each gives him what he most treasures. When the director of the school finds out about Blanchard's act of kindness, he arranges a promotion for him.
There really isn't a lot to this, and compared to some of Pagnol's best films, like Marius and The Baker's Wife, is seems very simplistic.
Add to that that the sound is often very bad, and you have a sad case.
There is nothing really wrong with this movie - other than the sound - but nothing to recommend it, either.
It is a simple enough story: M. Blanchard, a distant teacher in a boys' school, agrees to do dorm duty on Christmas eve for those poor students whose families, for whatever reason, have left them there that night. The students are in the habit of making fun of him because of his strange appearance, but while they sleep, he leaves each of them a gift, realizing how unhappy they are not to be spending Christmas with their families. The next morning, when they discover this, the boys change their attitude toward him and each gives him what he most treasures. When the director of the school finds out about Blanchard's act of kindness, he arranges a promotion for him.
There really isn't a lot to this, and compared to some of Pagnol's best films, like Marius and The Baker's Wife, is seems very simplistic.
Add to that that the sound is often very bad, and you have a sad case.
There is nothing really wrong with this movie - other than the sound - but nothing to recommend it, either.