directed by Mourice Pialat, Alain Resnais, Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Rivette,
Francois Truffaut, Patrice Leconte, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze,
and Jean-Pierre Melville
France 1946 - 71'
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This disc is probably considered an
absolute must for cinephiles. It features the
very first films of
several French directors who would go on to become household names in
international cinema. I was intrigued and eventually fascinated by the initial
offerings of these masters. It was easy to see what differentiated them from
similar colleagues but also how their styles became so coherent and
identifiable. I can't image any fan of French cinema not owning this. I wish
they had been able to include Eric Rohmer and maybe Demy but regardless I give
it 
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The Films
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| AMOUR EXISTE (MOURICE PIALAT/1961/19 min/Black & White) |
LE CHANT DU STYRENE (ALAIN RESNAIS/Documentary/1957/14min/Color) |
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| CHARLOTTE ET SON JULES (JEAN-LUC GODARD/Comedy/1958/13min/Black & White) |
LE COUP DU BERGER (JACQUES RIVETTE/Comedy/1957/27min/Black & White) |
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| HISTOIRE D'EAU (FRANCOIS TRUFFAUT & JEAN-LUC GODARD /Comedy/1958/ 12min/Black & White) |
LE LABORATOIRE DE L'ANGOISSE (PATRICE LECONTE/Comedy/1971/11min/ Color) |
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| LES SURMENES (JACQUES DONIOL-VALCROZE /Comedy/1957/19min/Black & White) |
24 HEURES DE LA VIE D'UN CLOWN (JEAN-PIERRE MELVILLE /Documentary/1946/18min/Black & White) |
Theatrical Releases: various
DVD Review: Alto Media - Region 3 - NTSC
| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution | Alto Media - Region 3 - NTSC |
| Runtime | Total = 2:12:16 |
| Video | 1.33:1
to 2.38 - Original Aspect Ratios Average Bitrate: 6.75 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate: |
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| Audio | French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) |
| Subtitles | English, Korean, None |
| Features |
Release Information: Edition Details: • 8
films |
| Comments: |
There is some damage on individual films but it is never distracting from the viewing enjoyment. Subtitles are well-done although I did notice one or two grammar flaws (very minor). I see good contrast (a shade of brightening) - okay colors (not washed out) and even some good film grain.
No Extras or commentary - which would have sealed this as
'golden'. Considering this is probably the only way you may get to see
these films on DVD - AND they are all in one package - this is a pretty
good deal - and decent pricing as well. I give it a strong
recommendation.
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out
of Recommended Reading in French Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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The Films in My Life |
French Cinema: A Student's Guide by Philip Powrie, Keith Reader |
Agnes Varda by Alison Smith | Godard on Godard : Critical Writings by Jean-Luc Godard | The Art of Cinema by Jean Cocteau |
French New Wave
by Jean Douchet, Robert Bonnono, Cedric Anger, Robert Bononno |
French Cinema: From Its Beginnings to the Present by Remi Fournier Lanzoni |
Truffaut: A Biography by Antoine do Baecque and Serge Toubiana |
Check out more in "The Library"
DVD Menus
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Subtitle Sample
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Screen Captures
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| DVD Box Cover |
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Gary Tooze
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