Germinal is one of Zola’s most famous novels and is a bleak depiction of a mining community before, during and after a strike. The book, as usual for Zola, is packed with characters and events that bring the story alive.
The 1993 film adaption of the novel was directed by Claude Berri and starred Gérard Depardieu as Maheu. The film also had Renaud as Étienne Lantier and Miou-Miou as Maheude. Further information can be found at IMDb.
The Books of Émile Zola 
Great job putting these together, Jonathan.
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I enjoyed watching the film again – I probably saw it when it came out as I used to go to the cinema a lot then. It’s not as bleak as the book but good nonetheless. Have you seen it?
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I am pretty sure I saw it during a Gérard Depardieu marathon on Bravo years ago. It was before I read the book and I don’t remember much about it.
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I hired the film from QuickFlix a year or so ago after I read Germinal (my first Zola). I thought it was brilliant, and these images bring back vivid memories of it. Makes me want to watch it again, for sure. Thanks, Jonathan.
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I tried to get snapshots at significant points in the film. Hopefully the images tell the story of Germinal. It’s difficult to imagine a better film version.
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