Mon Oncle (1958) - full transcript

Monsieur Hulot's brother-in-law is the manager of a factory where plastics are manufactured. His nephew grows up in a house where everything is fully automated and the boy is raised in a similar fashion. To take away the influence of the uncle on his son, his brother-in-law gets Hulot a job in his factory.

Would you like a sweet,
Monsieur Hulot?

Get ready!

Why don't you watch where you're
going? The light's red

Twenty-five years as a taxi-driver,
and then something like this happens

Are you crazy? Nothing at all
has happened to your car

Oh, kids!

I've been driving for a very
long time, Madame

So I know that, in theory, brakes
are meant for stopping

I don't see what you're getting at.
I stopped

Yes, too late. The light's red,
you could have caused an accident

It was the children



Forgive me, Madame

What's wrong?

Naughty boy!

I was passing and thought I must call
to see how you're getting on

How nice of you to come; I've been
expecting a visit for ages

I knew you'd be busy with builders

The garden is barely finished

All this must have taken...

It's starting to take shape.
The hall you can see

So practical, with everything
communicating

That must be Ge´rard. Excuse me

Aren't you coming in?

As you see, the rooms are perfectly
placed, all looking onto the garden

Very nice



You're looking at my hat, I see

You're still with the same modiste?
Lucky you. I'm hard to please hatwise

Let's go and see Ge´rard

Ge´rard darling, say good afternoon
to Madame Dubreuil

Really, Ge´rard... do be nice

Put your things away and don't
make a mess. Take your shoes off

Scrub your hands. Ge´rard,
are you listening to me?

Hang your jacket up properly
and put on your slippers

He never answers, you'll notice.
Exacting obedience isn't easy

That doesn't surprise me

It's different when his uncle collects
him; he's not slow to enjoy himself

So late? Here I am chatting,
keeping you from your housework

Oh, the modern house, you know...

I know what an effort the upkeep
must demand of you

- Yes, it's hard
- Admit that you love it

- I'm off
- I'll let you out

No, it's me

Hurry... hurry... and don't
make a sound

Look how hard he's working

Like his father

It's just half-past.
Can I switch on?

Tonight, as every night at this hour,
Professor Platov's programme

This evening.' "For You To Think About"

There they are, we've got to
catch them!

Have you any grapefruit?

They can't weigh as much as that

He's got a flat tyre, so
everything's off-balance

I'm embarrassed to ask, but I'd be
proud to see my brother-in-law join...

- Very well, ask your brother...
- Brother-in-law

...brother-in-law to contact our
personnel manager, Madamoiselle Ve´nier

In that case, if I may,
I'll telephone him

Can you connect me with number 24
at Saint-Maur?

My brother-in-law has no telephone,
he can be reached at this number

May I speak to Monsieur Hulot, please?

Hulot? This is your brother-in-law,
Arpel

You are to go to C.B.P.C...
Yes, Coal By-Products Company

He's at a cafe´, you see

In a quarter of an hour

It only remains for me to thank you,
Monsieur le Pre´sident

I'll say we're not to be disturbed

It's very straightforward. You
start at eight, work till twelve

One hour for lunch. Start again
at one o'clock...

...and work on till six

Your Sundays are your own, of course

We will be writing to you

We have no call for acrobats
at the moment

No, you can leave this way

You can see what's going on
next door...

...without recourse to gymnastics

WAY OUT

What can I do for you, Madame?

I'm your neighbour. Forgive me,
but I found this in my garden

- I can't let you just run away
- I don't want to put you to trouble

Look at what you did, G'erard,
you wicked boy

This is the living-room

And this is Ge´rard's room

Everything communicating, as you see

This is our little nook

Air-conditioned throughout

All the designs were done
in my husband's factory

How original... can one sit on it?
May I?

My steak!

Stand back; the gravy, you know

Charles, this is our neighbour

Bravo! The whole place is a knockout

A surprise for you, G'erard...
look at the lovely engine

You're so lucky. As for me,
I'm all alone...

...in my vast barn of a place

So he turned up? No, not Hublot...
Hulot

He climbed up.... on the desk,
you say?

To see what, Monsieur le Pre´sident?

Bravo your brother!

Yes indeed, your brother!

Thirty seconds in C.B.P.C.'s employ,
a record. And I recommended him

Everything all right?

Charles, I have an idea

His uncle, being free now,
can take him out

Do take care, now

Charles, your coffee is ready

Just try these, boys, you'll taste
how good they are

All piping hot, a bit of jam,
and there you are

Two spoonfuls for me

Do you put sugar on?

There's a generous helping for you.
Just you taste that

I want a big one

Come on, quick

Got money?

A customer

Your turn

You win

Put up your money

Come on, you, here we go again

You lose

Money for me

For me, too

You stay and watch

He's calling us, hurry!

Your turn

You lose

- I win
- No, you don't. Hand it over

You lost. Coming back doesn't count

Quiet! Play on

Steering needed, Bernard

Your turn, G'erard

Very clever! It's a sad day
when things come to this

I did the steering, didn't I?

It's beyond all reason.
Is there to be no end to it?

After all, one mustn't
carry things too far

If he doesn't like it here,
he can say so

Whose money paid for this house?
It was mine

I also pay for his clothes,
his schooling

Maybe someone would like to
take my place?

Well, why not? Come on,
no need for embarrassment

Not eating... are you unwell?

No, no, no, I've had enough

His uncle, his uncle... he's not
even a good example, far from it

And certainly no genius

Don't work yourself up
into such a rage

What my brother lacks is a purpose...

...a home and all that goes with it

Listen, that's our neighbour.
Come and have a look

She lives alone... I spoke to her
again... she owns a remarkable house

She is orderly, methodical,
and not without charm

Seeing her again, I thought of
my brother... if you follow me

The simple fact is, her house is
better looked after than ours

I freely admit it

My idea is: on Sunday we'll invite
a few friends to a reception for them

Nothing official, you understand,
simply a sort of garden party

Go in, you're always under my feet

What a fine shirt... it that
Monsieur Hulot's?

I'm going fishing; that's my way
of relaxing on Sundays

I set out my bait... got a big one
last Sunday. I'm well armed, you see

Thank you very much. Come inside

Sorry, but a refusal will
make me cross

Come and have a little drink

A millionaire used to be something,
now you find millions everywhere

We'd better grab some of them, then

Your theory is all very well, but
it ignores one very simple thing

There's no room for sentiment
nowadays. Every man for himself

Gaston! Come on, we're waiting

The same happened to me.
One shouldn't just accept it

You can't make ends meet any more
after all your expenses are deducted

Careful, Georgette... give that to me.
My husband will come out

The guests will find nothing ready

- Good day, friend. What do we owe you?
- 650 francs

Keep the change

Take this tray, Charles, hurry!

What is it? We don't need a thing

It's no use insisting. We have
all the carpets we need

It's our neighbour

My dear, how nice of you to come

G'erard, where are you running off to?
Come and say good afternoon

The right hand, darling

I'll leave you now; I still have
things to...

We are wearing a lovely tie,
aren't we?

What a big boy we are

We're a good boy

I know some lovely stories

I make beautiful paper cutouts

Ah, Pichard... I'll be right with you

They're plastic... flowers that last

Yes, you can smell the rubber

Let's show you round...
our water feature

Greetings, Madame. Delighted to
see you, my dear Walter

I'll tell your mother,
Monsieur G'erard

We produced 40,000 metres of piping,
a considerable achievement

Especially as our new machine
hasn't come yet

How interesting

I bring refreshments for you
to make your selection

Georgette, open the door

It's my brother

Follow me, my dear Walter. We'll be
more at ease on the terrace

What's the news on the Stock Exchange?

- Signs of a turn for the better
- Yes, that's my distinct impression

Listed share prices aren't the only
significant indications, either

Come and share the goodies.
The ladies insist

Pichard, my friend, we've been
together a good many years...

...and an idea came to me this morning

Our business is booming, production
increases day by day

He's my brother-in-law

My colleague, Monsieur Pichard

So, Pichard, let me explain my idea

My brother-in-law needs to settle
down, to have a goal in life

The time has come for him to settle
on a career for himself

So I thought of taking him into
the factory with us

You know the faith I have in you,
Pichard

Here, of course, as you see,
we have the living-room

- It feels empty
- It's modern; all communicating

Ge´rard's room... and over there,
the kitchen

But that I don't want to show you

It's a complete success!

Here, my friends, I am at home
in my own domain

For dishwashing, laundry...

I press here for all vegetables...

...sterilization

Oh dear, he can't think of anything
but his factory

Do take your places and I'll
introduce my brother

Our neighbour, our dear neighbour

Will you have some tea?

My dear, I think you'll find it more
comfortable sitting over there

You come and sit here

Now, you two... our charming
neighbour, my brother

Do sit down... there's a chair
for you

You can move the chair closer
to our neighbour

Joining my husband's company will do
his marital prospects no harm

I'm giving you gin with a touch of
lemon, it's very refreshing

I'll leave you two, then

You are her appointed admirer

I know a good one

Your sister is a truly
charming woman

Besides which, as the lady of
a house, she is amazing

Her admirable qualities make her
an extraordinary person

And we must not forget that Monsieur
Arpel is remarkable in every respect

Authoritative, perfectly at ease

They could be cited as an exemplary
couple, don't you agree?

I was saying that as a couple they
could be cited as exemplary

What joy for a woman to be able
to care for a...

...a household, to have a purpose,
someone who...

I'm telling you all this and
forgetting to pour your tea

I'm so clumsy

I'm not exaggerating when I say that
I'll never live it down

It seems to be wet here

Go round the other way, it should
be drier. Where's it coming from?

My fountain isn't working.
Georgette, was that you?

Don't just stand there,
help me do something

You must have been tampering with it

Monsieur Arpel was explaining...

...the importance of your husband's
position in the company

Stop, Georgette, you can't
do it like that

It may be just a leak, which we'll
have repaired in the morning

We can't leave it like that.
I'll show you

G'erard, fetch the toolbox

All right, turn the table lengthwise

We won't be able to hold it up

The chair... help us

Do you know the Champarts?

They've furnished a bungalow
in adorable Directoire style

It's really most charming,
and adjoins a country club

I almost forgot my dear friend
who hasn't had his tea

It's for your brother

He takes it the English way

Who has a light? Your lighters,
gentlemen

I'm sure my admirer has a...
how tall he is

I'm saved! The quest is over

He's very obliging, which is rare

Gallantry is a lost art, they're
taken up with their own affairs

Your brother isn't here any more...
where is he?

There you are... I'm not
forgetting you

The workman is served first

You might show more concern.
I didn't ask him to do that

Ade´e darling, come and take off my tie

I'll give you a hand... you can't
manage on your own

No, sir, you stay with your guests.
Your place isn't down here

That's it. Now you can turn it on

It will work, you'll see

Well, I don't understand

I have really no idea...

Do you know who he is?

It's a friend looking for me.
A most attentive admirer

This is no time for Red Indians.
My garden!

Bravo! Very clever!

Don't just stand there, help me

- You must have been dreadfully shaken
- Not at all

What a state you're in, Pichard

Someone had to sacrifice himself.
At least it's repaired

It's nothing at all. You did get
our flowers, didn't you?

Your glass, Madame

Go away... run and hide

Hold that for a minute while
I fetch the door

It's a surprise for my husband

A wedding anniversary gift. It must
be working by tonight

Your client!

The Director has arrived

Samples of the piping exclusive to
our international company, Alastac

Green piping for turf, for example,
and our latest novelty...

The Re´my company in Lyon
asks when we can deliver

Certainly. Get on to Monsieur Hulot

Have you the order for the Rémy
company in Lyon? Can you hear me?

- How are you, Pichard?
- A bit stiff... you know...

My right hand man, Monsieur Pichard

Pichard will show you round. Excuse
me, I'm getting my new car

I'll show you the stages of our new
manufacturing process

There she is... what lines she has

But tell me, how many cylinders?

Speak not of cylinders or engines
since you'll never raise the bonnet

Instead, admire the care and finish
that went into this bodywork

The doors, sir, you can close the
door with but a single finger

The same for the rear door

But the absolutely unbeatable thing...

...is the suspension

Keep an eye on Number 5 for me

...being carried to the
hydro-sandblasters...

...where the polymerization is
accelerated by a catalyst

A bit more and you can open
a delicatessen

Old man Arpel in the food business,
can you imagine?

You'll have to hide all this

All right, you've had your fun

It's quite simple. Our feeders being
provided with hot air humidifiers...

...thermostatically controlled
permutation of the liquids...

The boot is exceptionally spacious

Here the spare tyre, here the
radio aerial

Here you have a boot that will be
of great service to you

Your registration papers,
and also your keys

You'll be taking back my old car

The gentleman has seen everything,
and is impressed by our installation

Monsieur Arpel, there's something
I must tell you...

Look what he's making

It's not possible. Did he make that?

I'm dreadfully sorry,
given my position

Send Monsieur Hulot to me at once

If I may say so, perhaps, given his
idiosyncratic character...

That's all very well, but in a factory
like ours, this is unacceptable

How could this sort of product
possibly interest Plastac's clients?

Maybe the machine...

This has never happened before, and
I swear it will never happen again

Welcomed to the company
for personal reasons...

...it was your duty to set an example

This you have failed to do,
so much the worse for you

Pichard, don't telephone Madame Arpel
about the car; it's to be a surprise

It's our wedding anniversary

Switch on, Georgette, the new one

It's him

It's Monsieur; open the door for him

Happy anniversary!

It was a surprise for you

I'll show you... it will work
if we just walk in front of it

No need of keys. Just what you wanted,
isn't it? Are you pleased?

Happy anniversary!

It's beautiful! I'll get in with you

Daki, come here!

He has to pass through the beam

It's not working any more.
What will we do?

Daki, try again

We'll have to shout if we're
going to get out

Georgette, let us out!

The switch on the right...
no, not that one

No, Georgette, the one above that

Georgette, we're shut in the garage

Listen to me, Georgette

You see the two lights, there?

To open the door, you just have to
walk through the beam

I couldn't do that, Madame.
I'm too afraid of electricity

There's nothing to fear. Just walk
forward to the magic eye

The what eye? I can't, Monsieur,
I'll be electrocuted

Just close your eyes, be brave
and step forward

It's ridiculous. You'll have to
get used to it all

A suicide!

There's blood!

You'll be ill

You wait there

We could go to the Sexy

I prefer Constantine and
his sweet music

Quieten down, or you'll rouse
the whole neighbourhood

Why aren't you singing?
There's nobody about

You hang on to your money.
What do you take me for?

We had a good time, didn't we?
And what an orchestra!

But that's the divan

This can't go on. It's becoming
ridiculous

And it sets a bad example for G'erard

What do you mean, listen? All I hear
is his uncle this, his uncle that

In other words, you're jealous.
You're jealous of him

He has to go

Pichard needs a good sales rep for
the provinces. You fit the bill

That's my decision

What a mess!

Charles, you've forgotten your gloves!

You're going away?

What a pity

It could do with something added,
a streak of red, perhaps?

Let's go, G'erard