Vendémiaire | 1919 | Drama

Title: Vendémiaire | 1919 | Historical Drama Director: Louis Feuillade Studio: Société des Établissements L. Gaumont Starring: René Cresté, Édouard Mathé, Louis Leubas, Mary Harald, Georges Biscot, Gaston Michel, Manuel Caméré, Jane Rollette, Émile André, Olinda Mano Based on: Original screenplay by Louis Feuillade Release Date: January 17 1919 Runtime: Approximately 149 minutes Format: Silent black and white, 35mm, 1.33:1 Country: France Language: Silent with French intertitles Genres: Historical Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Prologue and vineyard life 00:30:00 Harvest and community routines 01:00:00 Arrival of escaped prisoners 01:30:00 Conflict and disruption 02:00:00 Resolution and aftermath --- Summary: Vendémiaire is a French silent historical drama set during the final months of the First World War, focusing on life in the vineyards of Provence. As grape harvests proceed under the autumn sun, refugees and local families work side by side, striving to maintain their traditions and livelihoods amid the uncertainty of war. The peace of the countryside shatters when two escaped German prisoners infiltrate the community, threatening both security and harmony. Through its extended narrative, the film explores themes of resilience, cultural identity, and the perseverance of rural society against the encroachments of violence and upheaval. --- Background: Directed and written by Louis Feuillade for Gaumont, Vendémiaire reflects on the social and emotional landscape of wartime France. Filmed in four episodes, the production combines pastoral imagery with the harsh realities of conflict, situating personal dramas within the broader context of national struggle and recovery following the Great War. --- Trivia: The film’s title refers to the French grape harvest season and is symbolic of renewal and endurance. Vendémiaire was released shortly after the end of World War I, at a time when audiences were still grappling with the recent impact of the conflict. The narrative is structured in four episodes, each reflecting different stages of both the harvest and the community’s challenges. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: January 17 1919 Original Studio / Distributor: Société des Établissements L. Gaumont Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #Vendémiaire #LouisFeuillade #FrenchCinema #SilentFilm #HistoricalDrama #1919Film #PublicDomain