In a rural French village, an old man and his only remaining relative cast their covetous eyes on an adjoining vacant property. They need its spring water for growing their flowers, and are dismayed to hear that the man who has inherited it is moving in. They block up the spring and watch as their new neighbour tries to keep his crops watered from wells far afield through the hot summer. Though they see his desperate efforts are breaking his health and his wife and daughter's hearts, they think only of getting the water.
Yves Montand
as César Soubeyran, aka 'le Papet'
Gérard Depardieu
as Jean Cadoret, hunchback, son of Florette
Daniel Auteuil
as Ugolin Soubeyran, nephew of Papet
Elisabeth Depardieu
as Aimée Cadoret, wife of Jean
Margarita Lozano
as Baptistine, Piedmontese of the cave
Ernestine Mazurowna
as Manon Cadoret, daughter of Jean & Aimée
Armand Meffre
as Philoxène, mayor
André Dupon
as Pamphile, joiner
Pierre Nougaro
as Casimir
Jean Maurel
as Anglade, believer
Roger Souza
as Ange, hydrant man
Didier Pain
as Eliacin
