Character Relationship Map: God Needs Men

Characters

• Thomas Gourvennec (played by Pierre Fresnay) — protagonist

  The island's sacristan who temporarily acts as a priest, guiding the superstitious inhabitants despite his own hesitation to perform all sacraments.

• Jeanne Gourvennec (played by Madeleine Robinson) — protagonist
• Joseph Le Berre (played by Daniel Gélin) — supporting
• Scholastique Kerneis (played by Andrée Clément) — supporting
• Corentin Gourvennec (played by Jean d'Yd) — supporting
• Abbot Kerhervé (played by Jean Brochard) — supporting
• Yvon's father (played by René Génin) — minor
• Brigadier (played by Jérôme Goulven) — minor
• Yves Lannuzel (played by Fernand René) — minor
• Old woman (played by Cécyl Marcyl) — minor
• Gendarme (played by Charles Bouillaud) — minor
• Monsieur Kerneis (played by Marcel Delaître) — minor
• Jules (played by Raphaël Patorni) — minor
• Le Bail (played by Albert Michel) — minor
• Coise Karbacen (played by Sylvie) — supporting
• Yvon (played by Jean Carmet) — minor
• Father Gourvennec (played by Antoine Balpêtré) — supporting

  Arrives escorted by gendarmes as the 'true religious figure' referenced in the plot, whose orthodox presence threatens to replace the sacristan's makeshift ministry.

• Mrs. Kermeis (played by Germaine Kerjean) — supporting
• François Guillen (played by Daniel Ivernel) — supporting
• Pierre (played by Jean-Pierre Mocky) — supporting

Story Analysis

A spiritual struggle unfolds on an isolated Breton island as a hesitant sacristan faces the arrival of a true priest and armed gendarmes.

Plot Progression

1. Isolation on Sein
2. The Substitute Priest
3. Arrival of Authority
4. Spiritual Transition