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.
as César Soubeyran, aka 'le Papet'
as Jean Cadoret, hunchback, son of Florette
as Ugolin Soubeyran, nephew of Papet
as Aimée Cadoret, wife of Jean
as Baptistine, Piedmontese of the cave
as Manon Cadoret, daughter of Jean & Aimée
as Philoxène, mayor
as Pamphile, joiner
as Casimir
as Anglade, believer
as Ange, hydrant man
as Eliacin
as Pascal, hydrant man
as Martial
as Méderic, bar boss
as Giuseppe
as Pique-Bouffigue
as Amandine, César Soubeyran's servant
as Florist
as Notary
as Doctor
as Muleteer