A real masterpiece from start to finish. Poignant commentary on the human condition. Superb acting. Brilliant use of nonverbals to convey human emotion. Extraordinary camera work. The beauty of the French countryside captured magnificently. Great attention to historical detail. A compelling narrative that had me absorbed every minute. I loved this film. It was a real privilege to watch this splendid work of art.

A real masterpiece that unfortunately is incomprehensible to the average American viewer. The setting is the First World War that is mostly happening off screen except for a sequence of a nightmare experienced by one of the soldiers when visiting his family. The movie concentrates on the civilians left behind. Women are responsible for the excellent photography and editing. Acting is first class. We slowly follow the progression from 1915 to 1920. Rural life for those complaining is slow, even today in US. We get a very good of experience of cultivating the land and raising animals one hundred years ago. The actresses learned how to lead calves to drink water, pretend to thresh wheat and operate primitive tractors. Around these activities life goes on, people are born and die. There is a glimpse of a love story , sacrificed by the family of the man which however shows that the young servant girl is incredibly resilient and in the end she serves a nice dish of revenge when she becomes a successful singer. His loss! Directing is very economical despite the dramatic events depicted. Often the actors are shown silent contemplating. I am really enthusiastic about this movie. Nathalie Baye who plays the mother who governs the family is of course well known. Extraordinarily successful is Iris Bry, the young actress who impersonates the main character. The third actress who plays Baye’s daughter is actually her real life daughter! There is no unnecessary nudity. Sex mostly happens off screen.

Too long and slow.Didn't understand all the characters motivations.

C'est un film tres beau I find the negative audience reviews here for this beautiful film hugely disappointing. Freeze almost any frame and you find a work of art. And the story is beautifully and tacitly developed. Much is done by facial expression and incidentals rather than overt obvious dialogue - and I find this adds to the film's beauty and impact. Nathalie Baye (Hortense) is perfect in her part as the matriarch of the family farm. And I don't find this to be a feminist film at all. The women have to manage the farm themselves simply because the men are away in a wart that will inevitably damage them. Hortense's love for her two boys shines convincingly when she meets them off the train when they are on leave. My favourite scene is Hortense and her daughter Solange leaning on a fence towards the end of the film - they even look like mother and daughter.

Great!! Each scene is a painting. The colors and light enfold in a world of magical creations.

Took a long time to say not very much. Strong central performances and good sets. But none of the cast look like peasant farmers and the plot seems to have no direction and certainly no resolution.

This isn't a film, its a postcard of turn of the century rural France. Watch French peasants cut grass (for 20 minutes,) watch peasants milk cows, watch peasants eat lunch (without dialogue) for 15 minutes. Boooring!

Definitely a French movie, stylistically, pace, etc!

Beautifully shot but mysognistic and depressing story line Again !!!

Excellent photography but slow moving.

It is said that war brings out the best and worst in humanity. The Guardians makes a convincing case that this is true, even on the home front, through a low-key yet nonetheless riveting drama.

Men are fairly useless seems to be the message. first noted when the husband of the matriarch pets his dog, smokes cigs, and makes moonshine while madam is plowing the fields. granted, the old man has gnarled fingers and a cane. yes, war seems to damage the yougner men here...but they seem to have character flaws to star with as becomes more and more apparent. the daugher/wife of one manages to purchase a tractor, while maman saves up and purchases a thrasher. one gets the feeling were the men to have remained in charge, nothing would have changed. but then again, isn't that why we're watching this movie? to be transported to a time when physical labor in the great outdoors is a way of life, the gorgeous french countryside. as for maman matriarch throwing the maid -- the film's protagonist -- "under the bus" is harder for me to figure out. the maid calls her a monster, and this would seem to be an accurate assessment. as beautiful as the cinematography is...life was brutal underneath the genteel surface. and maman's grieving a son You would have though made her more compassionate toward her grandson (won't spoils this any further0. anway...women are stronger than callow men in this drama. the ending was happy (i think). and i WAS SO RELIEVED that the movie did not devolve into the story of A SINGLE MOTHER TURNed PROSTITUTE TO SUPPORT HER CHILD WHO THEN IS TAKEN AWAY. NONE OF THAT. THE MAID PROVES THE STRONGEST OF ALL...AND POSSIBLY THE MOST MORAL. BECASUE MADAM MATRIARCH IS AS QUOTED "A MONSTER." AND SO THE BABY'S FATHER. GOOD RIDDANCE.

Beautifully filmed. Loved this movie for its insightful focus on the lives of women (!) during WWI. Well worth seeing. Each shot is gorgeous. Acting uniformly superb.

I can't understand the audience score for this film which is fresh, thoughtful, modern, surprising and intense in a way that is completely unique. Today the rating is 50%. Saw it with 3 others and we talked about it for hours figuring out the clues relationships, clues and the morale questions it raised. It is also fascinating to clearly see how different average lives were only 100 years ago. The acting is seamlessly excellent. The subject matter new and the characters well drawn but slowly developed. Unlike US movies, the plot, the back stories, the details of the setting, the moral issues are not shoved down your throat with expository speeches. You learn almost as the characters learn, you are in the story. I loved it.

About as boring as watching paint dry - without the fine looking room at the end - very hard to stay awake in this film basically about almost nothing- except French behaving badly - in the few moments when anything happens

A little more than midway through 'The Guardians' one character says "people are talking too much". If that were the case I may have liked this film a bit more. Director and co-writer Xavier Beauvois is over indulgent in his reaction shots and endless panoramic views so much so you'll be longing for someone, anyone to talk. When the actors do use their mouths they are really good. Unfortunately, about 1/3 of 134 minutes could have been left on the cutting room floor. This film if it wasn't stretched out would have been a recommend, but see this at your peril. If you like beauty you won't be disappointed, but if you're looking for a plot go elsewhere. Final Score: 5.5/10