I have been wanting to see that film for more than 20 years and I finally found it in some obscure Russian site and the copy was surprisingly top-notch!
Although a bit dated for today's audience, the film is a delightful reminder of the kind of movies they used to do "back then".
The script is following the book quite well (despite the inevitable cuts in the story)... so much so that, two years after the film release, author Henry Bordeaux actually thanked one-time director Charles d'Espinay by saying: "Yamilé was a true to the novel, for which I remain grateful to you."
It is such a shame that lead actress Denise Bosc did not pursue a career in films! She is lovely and revealed an innate capacity to convey a wide range of emotion in the most natural way, with both her warm voice and highly expressive face. Her performance is a departure from the over-acting often see in pictures from the 1930's.
It is hardly surprising she became one of the most prominent French dubbers in the 40's and 50's,
In parallel, she had a very successful career on the stage well into her eighties.
The film was shot on locations in North Lebanon and the film capturing very well the beauty of the scenery.
I highly recommend this film!