Picnic on the Grass

1959 1h 31m FR

😐

6.3

MID

★6.3TMDB · 54

RomanceComedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

New Europe presidential candidate Etienne Alexis is a scientist promoting artificial insemination for social betterment and therapy to eliminate passion. To celebrate his engagement to a cousin, he hosts an aseptic picnic, where Mother Nature asserts herself. A shepherd's flute conjures a windstorm throwing Alexis together with the luscious Nénette, a farm lass who, although unimpressed with men, wants to have a baby.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Paul Meurisse
Étienne Alexis, célèbre biologiste
Catherine Rouvel
Antoinette dite :Nénette
Jacqueline Morane
Titine
Fernand Sardou
Nino, le père de Nénette
Jean-Pierre Granval
Ritou
Hélène Duc
Isabelle, la secrétaire du biologiste
Ingrid Nordine
la comtesse Marie-Charlotte
Charles Blavette
le berger Gaspard

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jean Renoir
Writers: Jean Renoir
Languages: French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

67 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jean Renoir, shot by Georges Leclerc. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Joseph Kosma. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Renée Lichtig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Paul Meurisse and Catherine Rouvel and Jacqueline Morane carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0052765 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 54 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jean Renoir directs. Georges Leclerc behind the camera. Joseph Kosma scores. Renée Lichtig cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

167 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Directed by Jean Renoir, shot by Georges Leclerc. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Joseph Kosma. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Renée Lichtig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Paul Meurisse and Catherine Rouvel and Jacqueline Morane carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0052765 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 54 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.