Mon oncle Benjamin

For the silent film, see My Uncle Benjamin (1924 film).

Mon oncle Benjamin (My Uncle Benjamin) is a 1969 French film directed by Édouard Molinaro, starring Jacques Brel and Claude Jade. The film is based on a once-popular French comic novel Mon oncle Benjamin [fr] by Claude Tillier (1842).^[2] The 1969 film Don't Grieve,^[3] directed by the Georgian Georgi Daneliya, is also based on Tillier's novel as was Francis Bousquet's 1942 comic opera Mon oncle Benjamin.^[4][5] The film was released on 28 November 1969.

Mon oncle Benjamin
Mon oncle Benjamin film poster
Directed by	Edouard Molinaro
Written by	André Couteaux Edouard Molinaro
Produced by	Alain Poiré
Starring	Jacques Brel Claude Jade Bernard Alane
Music by	Jacques Brel
Distributed by	Gaumont Distribution
Release date	28 November 1969 (1969-11-28) (France)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	France
Language	French
Box office	$20.4 million[1]

Plot

The story is set in 1750 during the time of Louis XV. Benjamin (Jacques Brel) is a country doctor in love with the beautiful innkeeper's daughter, Manette (Claude Jade), but she refuses his advances until he produces a marriage contract. After suffering a humiliating practical joke and condemned to prison, Benjamin escapes with Manette, who realizes she prefers happiness to a marriage contract after all.^[6][7]

Cast

• Jacques Brel – Benjamin Rathery
• Claude Jade – Manette
• Bernard Alane – Pont-Cassé
• Robert Dalban – Innkeeper
• Bernard Blier – Marquis
• Rosy Varte – Bettine
• Paul Frankeur – Minxit
• Lyne Chardonnet – Arabelle
• Armand Mestral – Machecourt
• Paul Préboist – Parlenta
• Daniela Surina – Marquise of Cambyse