Marcel Pagnol’s beautifully wrought romantic dramas known as The Marseille Trilogy spans 20 years in the lives of its lead characters. The trilogy has been restored in collaboration with his grandson, Nicolas Pagnol.

Pagnol’s original play was a huge stage hit. With the arrival of sound, Pagnol seized the opportunity to adapt it to film. Marius, the first instalment, is set in the colourful Old Port of Marseille, where ordinary but lovable characters are coping with everyday problems. There’s Marius, a humble barkeeper who is torn between his wanderlust for exotic ports of call and his unspoken love for Fanny, the fishmonger’s beautiful daughter, who harbours a secret love of her own.

Marc Allégret took over directorial duties for the luminous second instalment, Fanny, and Pagnol himself directed the final film in his trilogy, César, set 20 years after Marius.

The three films poignantly explore the drama and humour inherent in the relationships of these unforgettable characters. To describe the story of each film would only contain spoilers so we’ll leave that for you to discover! These are three QFT Sunday matinees you don’t want to miss.

Age 12+