The Well Digger's Daughter

Jacques Mazel, a 26 year old pilot, is fishing by a stream near his parents home. Patricia Amoretti appears with lunch for her father, and Jacques carries her across the stream. This chance encounter sets the stage for a romance across social boundaries.

The next day, Jacques spots Patricia again at an air display. He invites her for a ride on his motorbike, and they share a moment of exhilaration. Their budding attraction deepens as they reconnect away from their families.

On their way home, they stop in a field to make love, sealing their bond despite social class differences. The moment exposes their willingness to defy norms for each other. The field becomes a private sanctuary for their romance.

That night, Jacques is called away for an air campaign in Africa, separating him from Patricia. He asks his mother to deliver a letter to her, but she burns it, destroying any chance of immediate contact. The family tension foreshadows the social consequences that Patricia will face.

Patricia learns she is pregnant, realizing her future is now bound to social judgement. She contemplates the implications of becoming a single mother in a community with rigid norms. The pregnancy changes the power balance between the two families.

Confronted by Pascal, Jacques' parents reject the idea of his son having a child out of wedlock. They refuse to acknowledge the baby, fearing scandal for the Mazels and their other daughters. The social barrier drives a wedge between the families.

To shield his daughters from social opprobrium, Pascal sends Patricia away to have the baby with his sister in another village. The move isolates Patricia from Jacques' world and deepens the heartbreak. It also delays any potential reconciliation between the families.

News arrives that Jacques is missing after his plane goes down behind German lines. Félipe offers to marry Patricia to provide stability, but Patricia declines. The development leaves Patricia single and bearing Jacques' child.

Félipe offers to marry Patricia to provide stability, but Patricia declines. This decision is tempered by the fact that her sister Amanda has a crush on Felipe, which complicates family dynamics. Patricia remains determined to manage the situation on her own terms as she awaits her child.

The Mazels grieve the loss of their son and express willingness to take responsibility for their grandson. Pascal rejects this proposal, insisting on maintaining his own social code. The social divide remains a barrier to reconciliation.

It is revealed that Jacques survived by parachuting into neutral Switzerland. He learns that he has a son, and this news rekindles hope for a possible future union. The revelation shifts the stakes for the families as they consider forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Mazels visit Pascal to ask for forgiveness and to seek permission for the marriage of the young couple. The request tests Pascal's willingness to overcome class boundaries. The scene marks a crucial step toward resolving the central conflict of the story.

Pascal agrees to allow the marriage if the couple themselves give their consent and prove their commitment. The two families begin to heal as love overcomes the initial prejudice. The narrative builds toward a hopeful union.

With consent secured, the lovers' devotion remains as strong as when they first met. The film ends on a note of happiness and promise for their child. The social obstacles have been overcome by the power of love and family reconciliation.