IMDb 7 2011 HD

The Well Digger’s Daughter

The Well Digger’s Daughter

2011
Drama Romance
107 min NR France
6.823 / 10
7 IMDB

It's the beginning of the WWII. South of France. Patricia, 18, is the oldest daughter of a well-digger, Pascal, who considers her a princess because of her moral…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Daniel Auteuil / Marie Leconte
Starring
Daniel Auteuil / Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey / Kad Merad / Sabine Azéma / Jean-Pierre Darroussin / Nicolas Duvauchelle / Émilie Cazenave / Marie-Anne Chazel

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

heartfelt poignant traditional dramatic tender character-driven sensitive earnest moving familiar strong performances classic

Reviews

S
Sophia Rodriguez
Apr 27, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A tender and emotionally resonant piece, 'The Well Digger's Daughter' excels in its portrayal of familial love and the challenges posed by societal constraints. The idyllic setting of the South of France serves as a beautiful counterpoint to…

O
Oliver Chen
Apr 27, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

Daniel Auteuil's 'The Well Digger's Daughter' is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve, depicting a personal drama unfolding against the ominous backdrop of war. The central story of Patricia's unexpected pregnancy and her father's reaction…

P
Penelope Davies
Apr 27, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is French cinema at its most affecting. 'The Well Digger's Daughter' is a beautifully rendered drama that explores themes of honour, love, and societal expectation with remarkable sensitivity. Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey delivers a star-making performance as Patricia, capturing…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 27, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Set against the evocative backdrop of pre-WWII France, 'The Well Digger's Daughter' presents a classic tale of youthful romance gone awry and the ensuing family fallout. While the premise of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy might suggest melodrama, the film…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 27, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Daniel Auteuil directs and stars in this poignant French drama, 'The Well Digger's Daughter,' a story steeped in the gentle beauty of the South of France and the harsh realities of impending war. Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey is luminous as…

FAQs

The father-daughter dynamic between Pascal and Patricia is depicted as exceptionally tender and central to the film's emotional core. Pascal views Patricia as a princess, valuing her moral integrity above all else. This profound paternal affection shapes his reactions to her predicament, underscoring the theme of unconditional love and the lengths a parent will go to protect and support their child, even when societal norms are challenged.