----------------------------Original message---------------------------- From: Tony Williams English SIUC Despite reservations about Tarantino, PULP FICTION is undoubtedly superior to GERMINAL on all levels. GERMINAL is merely French Cinema;s mistaken attempt to capture Hollywood values with all star cast, big budget, and settings definitely antithetical to the naturalist and "cinematic" features already present in Zola's original novel. For what it is worth, most Zola scholars are appalled at the film, especially those attending the San Diego AIZEN (Emile Zola Society) conference where the faults of the film were really examined. Neither Gerard (referred to by AIZEN President Monique Fol as"Gerard Non-Pas Dieu!" nor Miou Miou, capable as they are, could ever approach the complexities of Zola Maheu and Maheude. Gerard is now international box-office. That's why he appeared in the film. Gerard's cast ing is the equivalent to selecting Tom Cruise to play Benjamin Franklin. But what has happened to Schondoffer's (sp!) DIEN BIEN PHU? Will we ever see it here, if only on video? Tony Williams