DVDs AND VIDEOS

Films are listed here if they were based on Provençal literature, were set in Provence, or were filmed in Provence or the Côte d’Azur.  Please consult other sources for specific reviews.

The French Connection (1971)
Only the first street scenes were shot in Marseilles.  This is a terrific movie, famous for its car chase, but lots of shooting, very violent.

Goldeneye (1995)
Filmed, in part, on the French Riviera.  Pierce Brosnan debuts as James Bond.

Herbie goes to Monte-Carlo (1977)
Haven’t seen this movie, but have read that there are shots of Monte Carlo.

Horseman on the Roof (1996)
We enjoyed this movie.  There is one pretty shot of the skyline of Lourmarin, lots of Cucuron rooftops and beautiful scenes of Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Beaucaire, Tarascon and the countryside near Forcalquier.

Marius, Fanny, and César (1931, 1932, 1936)
We have not seen these movies, but we read that there are interesting shots of the vieux port of Marseilles.

My Father’s Glory and My Mother’s Castle (1990)
Very enjoyable films, shot in the Luberon.  (See literature review.)

Jean de Florette and Manon of the Springs (1986)
The first film is moving and will haunt you until you see the second one.  Beautiful scenery, shot in the Luberon, including neighboring Vaugines.  (See literature review.)

Ronin (1998)
Starring Robert De Niro, this is an action-packed, rather violent movie, full of top secret missions, underworld-organizations, car-chases, etc. in post-Cold War France.  Filmed in and around Nice (as well as Paris).

To Catch a Thief (1955)
Filmed on location along the French Riviera, with some beautiful scenes.  Not your typical Alfred Hitchcock suspenseful movie, but very good.

Two for the Road (1967)
Lovely movie, filmed on the French Riviera.

Taxi (1998), Taxi II (2000), Taxi III (2003)
These wacky but very popular French movies were never distributed in the U.S.  We enjoyed them all.  Filmed in Marseilles.

A Year in Provence (1993)
Based on Peter Mayle’s book of the same title, this BBC production (four films in the series) is shot almost entirely on location in the Luberon, with many scenes in Lourmarin.  Very faithful to the book and very funny.