René Clément’s “Gervaise” (1956) - 1hr 50mins

Film and History Study Guides This film guide is part of my teaching material for a series of courses I taught at the University of Adelaide on "Film and History" or what might be called "Reel Hisory".

[Created: date] [Updated: 30 September, 2026]

 

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René Clément (1913-)

One of the more promising French filmmakers to emerge after WW2. Specialised in so-called “quality films” during 1950s - mainly historical dramas. Differed from his contemporaries in the post-war “New Wave” of filmmakers (especially in Italy) with his interest in making well-crafted films, his pessimism, his interest in literature. Other famous films include: “La Bataille du rail” (1945) made to assist the French resistance during WW2; “Forbidden Games” (1951) with child actors.

Zola's Novel

Film of Émile Zola’s novel L’Assomoir (1877) named after the main female character “Gervaise.” Meticulously recreated historical film. Provides good example of how an historical film can be used to “restage the past.” Captures quite precisely the “look” and atmosphere of Paris in the Second Empire 1851-1871. Shows the difficult life of working class women trying to make ends meet in the laundry business and other small trades and shops. Problem of alcohol as a means of escaping from financial worry. Impact this has on families.

Gervaise is a young women from the provinces (Aix-en-Provence like EZ) who comes to Paris to seek a better life. G is lame. Although , she works hard and is able to establish her own laundry business After a brief period of prosperity she is brought down by the combined problems of a unemployed, alcoholic husband (Coupeau), the unscrupolus ex-boy friend (Lantier), endebtedness, caring for children by herself, running a business, bad luck, fate. The question raised by EZ - what chance did working class women like G have for success at this time?

Things to look for in the film

• 1. The look of Paris as it might have been in the 1860s.
• 2. The fight in the laundry between the two women. The working conditions in the laundry.
• 3. The dinner party on her “name day” to celebrate G’s success in her own laundry business.
• 4. Scenes in the pub (“l’assomoir” could be translated as “the boozer”) when G turns to drink. Still in pub referred to as “infernal machine” in novel. The effect of alcoholism on Coupeau - delerium tremens - and the folk remedies used to “cure” him. higher rate of among women.
• 5. The way in which the French enjoy food and wine.
• 6. The relationship between husband and wife. Mistreatment and violence. Husbands expected to be waited on - M. “Poisson” and the fish, G and the coffee. Lantier and the coffee. The reasons G married Coupeau - financial security, to help support children (Étienne, Claude, Nana), roof tiler a good trade.
• 7. The reference to illiteracy - C could sign name, G only an “X”.
• 8. The relationship between the women - did they support or compete against and undermine each other? relationships between members of the working class; relationship between workers and policeman and courts.
• 9. Image of shoes and feet - C loses shoe before wedding, dirty shoes in laundry, feet of marriage party in street, checking C and G’s shoes at goldsmiths, C taking G’s shoes off on wedding night, Nana playing barefoot in a puddle.
• 10. The issue of prostitution as an escape from poverty for women. EZ’s novel about it called “Nana” after G’s daughter.
• 11. The issue of socialism and workers rights. Goujet, the blacksmith, is sent to prison for organising a strike for higher wages at the forge. Scenes in the courtroom when he is convicted. Argument at dinner party - if soldiers have right to pension why not the workers.
• 12. How G went about setting up her business - under Civil Code husband had to sign all legal documents, lent deposit by Goujet. When husband began to drink the profits G had no recourse at law.
• 13. Old man at the dinner party who lost 2 sons in the Crimean War (1854-56). Had no one to care for him in old age. Disparaging remarks about Empire.