The Chorus 2004 Watch Online

The Chorus Watch Online: A Heartwarming Tale of Music and Redemption

In 2004, renowned French conductor Pierre Morhange (Jacques Perrin) receives devastating news before a concert in the United States: his mother has passed away. Following the performance, he returns to France to attend her funeral. At his doorstep, an old friend, Pépinot (Didier Flamand), arrives with a diary that belonged to their beloved teacher, Clément Mathieu. Together, they delve into the pages of the past, uncovering a story that resonates with the power of music and the impact of mentorship.

Clément Mathieu: The Teacher Who Changed Lives

Set in 1949, fifty-four years prior, Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot) is a failed musician who takes a position at Fond de l’Étang (“Bottom of the Pond”), a French boarding school for troubled boys. Upon his arrival, he encounters a young boy named Pépinot (Maxence Perrin), who eagerly awaits his father’s visit on Saturday. Unbeknownst to Pépinot, his parents were victims of the Second World War, leaving him orphaned and alone.

Mathieu quickly discovers the harsh realities of the school, where the strict headmaster, Rachin (François Berléand), enforces severe punishments on the boys. Determined to make a difference, Mathieu employs humor and kindness to connect with the students. When a prank by one of the boys, Le Querrec, injures the elderly caretaker, Maxence (Jean-Paul Bonnaire), Mathieu protects the boy from punishment while encouraging him to care for Maxence during his recovery.

Creating Harmony: The Birth of a Choir

As Mathieu learns of the boys singing disrespectful songs about him, he devises a plan to teach them discipline through music. He forms a choir, grouping the boys by their vocal ranges. However, one student, Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier), initially refuses to participate. When Mathieu catches Morhange singing alone, he recognizes the boy’s extraordinary talent and offers him solo parts, provided he behaves.

Morhange’s single mother, Violette (Marie Bunel), visits the school, and Mathieu finds himself drawn to her. When he must explain Morhange’s punishment, he lies, telling her that her son is at the dentist. Meanwhile, a rebellious boy named Mondain (Grégory Gatignol) arrives, causing chaos and bullying the other students. After stealing a watch, he is punished with two weeks of confinement.

As the choir flourishes under Morhange’s leadership, the boys become happier, and even the strict Rachin begins to soften, engaging in playful activities with the students. However, when Mondain escapes from confinement and seemingly steals the school’s funds, Rachin’s wrath returns. After Mondain is caught, Rachin’s violent response leads to a confrontation, resulting in Mondain being handed over to the police and the disbandment of the choir.

Underground Music Lessons and Unforeseen Challenges

Despite the setback, Mathieu continues to teach the boys music in secret, holding nighttime practices in their dormitory. His feelings for Morhange’s mother grow, and he plans to help her son secure a scholarship to the music conservatory in Lyon. However, his hopes are dashed when she reveals she has met someone new, leaving Mathieu heartbroken yet supportive.

The Countess, a benefactor of the school, discovers the choir’s talent and invites them to perform. Morhange captivates the audience with his solo, but the truth about the stolen money comes to light when another boy, Corbin, is revealed as the real thief. Despite this revelation, Rachin refuses to reinstate Mondain, further complicating the situation.

As Rachin departs to accept an award for the choir’s success, Mathieu and Maxence take the boys on an outing. In a twist of fate, Mondain returns and sets fire to the school. Although Mathieu saves the boys, he is unjustly fired for breaking the rules, leaving the students heartbroken. In a touching farewell, the boys lock themselves in their classroom, singing and sending messages of love to Mathieu through paper planes.

The Impact of Music and Lasting Memories

Back in the present, the adult Morhange reflects on the diary’s contents, revealing that he did indeed win a scholarship to the conservatory, while Rachin faced consequences for his abusive behavior. Mathieu, Pépinot shares, continued to teach music quietly for the rest of his life, leaving a lasting legacy.

The final scene transports us back to the past, where Mathieu waits for a bus after his