Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2724 in VHS
• Released on: 1994-01-14
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 134 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Marcel Pagnol's Marseilles Trilogy was adapted into a Broadway musical in the mid-'50s; a few years later, that show's producer, Joshua Logan, turned it into a film... without the songs. Although it pales in comparison to the French trilogy, Fanny captures the original's bittersweet mix of romance and regret. Curiously, it retains the slightly stagy quality of an adapted musical. Charles Boyer and Maurice Chevalier revel in their juicy autumnal roles, and--thanks to Logan's fondness for rapturous close-ups--Leslie Caron never looked more beautiful. Harold Rome's Broadway score plays underneath many scenes (without the lyrics, that is), but what gives the movie its lilt is the color photography by the great Jack Cardiff. The Marseilles waterfront, where Boyer's café is scenically located, becomes a wonderfully bustling backdrop for the funny/sad story. Fanny was nominated for five Oscars, including best picture, but seems mostly forgotten today, and ready for rediscovery by romantics. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

charming, romantic fairytale
A charming romantic fable, FANNY is based on the "Marseilles Trilogy" by Pagnol and the Broadway musical from 1954.

Leslie Caron plays Fanny, the impish daughter of Honorine (Georgette Anys), who sells fish on the waterfront. Marius (Horst Bucholtz) and his father Cesare (Charles Boyer) own the bar overlooking the bay.

When Fanny proclaims her love for Marius, they plan to marry, when Marius is tempted away through his desire to become a sailor. He leaves Fanny and his unborn child to an uncertain fate.

A relief comes in the form of wealthy and kindly Panisse (Maurice Chevalier) who offers to marry Fanny and raise the child as his own.

A charming, hypnotic tale that boasts stellar performances. Boyer was nominated for Best Actor here, but why was Caron not nominated? She gives probably one of the finest performances of her career here.

Directed by Joshua Logan (SOUTH PACIFIC), FANNY is one very entertaining movie.

One of My Favorite Movies
"Fanny" was made almost ten years before I was born, but it is one of my favorite romances. It is a wonderful story about love found, love lost and love found again. You will feel the characters' emotions as though you were standing there. It takes place in Marseilles a waterfront community on the coast of France. There is Marius who is in love with Fanny, but dreams of going to sea. Fanny is also in love with Marius, but in order to help him live his dream she sacrifices her own. In a twist of fate Fanny marries another man. There is also Cesar, Marius' father, Panisse, Fanny's husband, and Cesario, Fanny and Marius' son. I have watched this film too many times to count.

DVD PLEASE!!!
This is one of the finest romance films I can think of. The cast carries it off splendidly and the film is gloriously photographed. There are so many touching moments in this film that to go into detail about it would ruin someone's first experience of it. Leslie Caron was never more expressive. She plays innocent, caring, noble, sad, joyful, and intelligent. Her acting talents are on full display here. She deserved an Oscar nomination for this performance.
The picture received a nomination and Joshua Logan has a better time out directing this one than with "South Pacific," even though he had the Pagnol original to rely upon. So many scenes resonate with truth and emotion in this film. I recommend it highly. And, again, Warners, where is the DVD????