Jacques Becker was an important and influential French filmmaker who was admired by the directors that led the French New Wave movement. He made his directorial debut in 1942 after a year in a German prisoner-of war camp. The entire output of his working career was only 13 films including some of the greatest French masterpieces. Becker had a very strong presence in French cinema and constantly tried to create something different which is noticeable in his films as each is unique and very different in style and genre. This essential collection includes 5 films of the prestigious filmmaker: Falbalas (1944), Edward and Caroline (1951), Casque d'Or (1952), Touchez pas au Grisbi (1954) and Le Trou (1960). Product Features FALBALAS (1944) Falbalas: A Family Affair Fashion and Clothing: Jean Paul Gaultier Interview with Micheline Presle Auditions Falbalas: Restored Version EDWARD AND CAROLINE (1951) Interview with Ginette Vincendeau Edouard et Caroline on AU CINEMA CE SOIR © Ina - 1974 Jacques Becker on LE JAZZ ET JEUNESSE © Ina - 1956 CASQUE D'OR (1952) Alex and Marie: Once upon a time there was Casque d'Or In the heart of hearts: the legend of Casque d'Or Trailer TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI (1954) Interview With Ginette Vincendeau Interview With Jean Becker Interview With Jeanne Moreau Jeanne Moreau On Gros Plan © Ina - 1957 LE TROU (1960) Interview with Ginette Vincendeau Interview with Jean Becker Interview with Philippe Leroy L'Envers du décors : A Behind The Scenes Featurette Interview With Jean Keraudy
The Day of the Owl stars Franco Nero (Django) as a police chief who, while investigating the death of a construction worker, goes up against corrupt officials and a ruthless mafia boss (Lee J. Cobb, On the Waterfront). Adapted from the celebrated novel by Leonardo Sciascia (Illustrious Corpses, Todo Modo), The Day of the Owl was the first book to openly deal with organised crime in Sicily. Director Damiano Damiani followed in the civic-minded cinema of Francesco Rosi and Elio Petri while forging a new path for the action-orientated cinema of the poliziottesco that would follow, creating something uniquely his own. A prestigious production, it was in the running for best film at the Berlin Film Festival and found wins at home in the David di Donatello Awards for stars Nero and Claudia Cardinale, along with Damiani (A Bullet for the General), and Best film.The Day of the Owl stars Franco Nero (Django) as a police chief who, while investigating the death of a construction worker, goes up against corrupt officials and a ruthless mafia boss (Lee J. Cobb, On the Waterfront). Adapted from the celebrated novel by Leonardo Sciascia (Illustrious Corpses, Todo Modo), The Day of the Owl was the first book to openly deal with organised crime in Sicily. Director Damiano Damiani followed in the civic-minded cinema of Francesco Rosi and Elio Petri while forging a new path for the action-orientated cinema of the poliziottesco that would follow, creating something uniquely his own. A prestigious production, it was in the running for best film at the Berlin Film Festival and found wins at home in the David di Donatello Awards for stars Nero and Claudia Cardinale, along with Damiani (A Bullet for the General), and Best film.
In Paris at the turn of the 19th Century, Casque D'Or follows the love affair between gangster's moll, Marie (Simone Signoret, Room At The Top, Les Diaboliques) and reformed criminal Georges Manda (Serge Reggiani, Les Miserables, The Pianist). When mob boss, Felix Leca (Claude Dauphin), takes an active interest in their affair, an underworld rivalry ensues leading to a treacherous and tragic end. Casque D'Or is a classic, poetic tale of doomed romance based on the true-life Leca-Manda scandal. Evoking the Belle Epoque period perfectly and with an unforgettable femme fatale performance from Signoret, Casque D'Or is considered a Becker masterpiece.
In Paris at the turn of the 19th Century, Casque D'Or follows the love affair between gangster's moll, Marie (Simone Signoret, Room At The Top, Les Diaboliques) and reformed criminal Georges Manda (Serge Reggiani, Les Miserables, The Pianist). When mob boss, Felix Leca (Claude Dauphin), takes an active interest in their affair, an underworld rivalry ensues leading to a treacherous and tragic end. Casque D'Or is a classic, poetic tale of doomed romance based on the true-life Leca-Manda scandal. Evoking the Belle Epoque period perfectly and with an unforgettable femme fatale performance from Signoret, Casque D'Or is considered a Becker masterpiece.
An adaptation of Abbe Prevost's classic French novel 'Manon Lescaut', updated to post-World War II France, in which a former French Resistance activist rescues Manon from villagers who want to lynch her for collaborating with the Nazis. They move to Paris, but their relationship quickly turns stormy after they get involved in profiteering, prostitution and murder.
Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn stars in her first significant role as an ingenue whose sister becomes ensnared in a web of intrigue and political assassination in this classic Ealing drama from Oscar-nominated director Thorold Dickinson. Co-starring noted European actors Valentina Cortesa giving a sensitive, critically-acclaimed performance and Serge Reggiani, Secret People is presented here as a transfer from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. Relocated due to increasing danger in their southern European homeland, sisters Maria and Nora settle in London with Maria leaving Louis, the young man she loves, to carry on the fight. In a chance meeting several years later Louis plays on Maria's love for him to involve her in a plot to bomb the man responsible for her father's death a plot that doesn't go to plan. Special Features: Theatrical trailer Image gallery PDF material
Jacques Becker lovingly evokes the Belle poque Parisian demimonde in this classic tale of doomed romance. When gangster's moll Marie (Simone Signoret) falls for reformed criminal Manda (Serge Reggiani) their passion incites an underworld rivalry that leads inexorably to treachery and tragedy. With poignant nuanced performances and sensuous black-and-white photography Casque d'or is Becker at the height of his cinematic powers - an achingly romantic masterpiece.
Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn stars in her first significant role as an ingénue whose sister becomes ensnared in a web of intrigue and political assassination in this classic Ealing drama from Oscar-nominated director Thorold Dickinson. Co-starring noted European actors Valentina Cortese giving a sensitive, critically-acclaimed performance and Serge Reggiani, Secret People is presented here as a High Definition transfer from the original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. Relocated due to increasing danger in their southern European homeland, sisters Maria and Nora settle in London with Maria leaving Louis, the young man she loves, to carry on the fight. In a chance meeting several years later Louis plays on Maria's love for him to involve her in a plot to bomb the man responsible for her father's death a plot that doesn't go to plan. Special Features: Image gallery PDF material
In 1964, Henri-Georges Clouzot, the acclaimed director of thriller masterpieces Les Diaboliques and Wages of Fear, began work on his most ambitious film yet. Set in a beautiful lake side resort in the Auvergne region of France, L'Enfer (Inferno) was to be a sun scorched elucidation on the dark depths of jealousy starring Romy Schneider as the harassed wife of a controlling hotel manager (Serge Reggiani). However, despite huge expectations, major studio backing and an unlimited budget, after three weeks the production collapsed under the weight of arguments, technical complications and illness. In this compelling, award-winning documentary Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea present Inferno's incredible expressionistic original rushes, screen tests, and on-location footage, whilst also reconstructing Clouzot's original vision, and shedding light on the ill-fated endeavour through interviews, dramatisations of unfilmed scenes, and Clouzot's own notes. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation Original 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Optional English subtitles Lucy Mazdon on Henri-Georges Clouzot, the French cinema expert and academic talks at length about the films of Clouzot and the troubled production of Inferno They Saw Inferno, a featurette including unseen material, providing further insight into the production of Inferno Filmed Introduction by Serge Bromberg Interview with Serge Bromberg Stills gallery Original trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Twins of Evil FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Ginette Vincendeau
A dark and suspenseful drama set in 1930s London. Maria Brentano and her younger sister Nora flee to London after their father is murdered by a European minister. Seven years later during a weekend trip to Paris Maria unexpectedly meets Louis her former lover who is now plotting the assassination of the same minister. Maria and Nora become involved in the plan which goes tragically wrong when the bomb they plant kills an innocent bystander. Facing the consequences of her actions and harboring dark secrets Maria escapes and assumes a new identity but later discovers that her sister is involved with Louis in a dangerous plot and decides to boldly act in order to save her...
Max Ophuls' wonderful adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's play won a BAFTA for Best Film as well as two Oscar nominations. Starring Simone Signoret, Simone Simon and Anton Walbrook as the enigmatic master of ceremonies who guides us through a series of amorous encounters in 1900's Vienna. A soldier (Serge Reggiani) meets an eager young lady of the night and later has an affair with a young lady, who becomes a maid who then has an affair with the young master of the house. The young man then seduces a married woman and on and on spins on the gay carousel of romantic life...
Max Ophuls is widely regarded to be one of the greatest and most revered directors in the history of cinema. His trademark array of lavish fluid camera movements would influence generations of filmmakers to come. Among the many who have had praised his genius are Francois Truffaut Jean-Luc Goddard Martin Scorsese Stanley Kubrick who believed his camera could pass through walls and more recently directors such as Todd Haynes (Velvet Goldmine Far From Heaven) and Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights Magnolia) who called him his idol. Now for the first time on DVD Orphuls masterpiece La Ronde. Anton Walbrook is the enigmatic omnipotent master of ceremonies guiding us through a series of amorous encounters in Vienna of 1900. Featuring some of the greatest names in French cinema Max Ophuls' wonderful adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's play was honoured with a BAFTA for 'Best Film' as well as Oscar nominations.
Max Ophuls' wonderful adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's play won a BAFTA for Best Film as well as two Oscar nominations. Starring Simone Signoret, Simone Simon and Anton Walbrook as the enigmatic master of ceremonies who guides us through a series of amorous encounters in 1900's Vienna. A soldier (Serge Reggiani) meets an eager young lady of the night and later has an affair with a young lady, who becomes a maid who then has an affair with the young master of the house. The young man then seduces a married woman and on and on spins on the gay carousel of romantic life...
The Beekeeper
The backstabbing criminals in the shadowy underworld of Jean-Pierre Melville's Le doulos have only one guiding principle: Lie or die. A stone-faced Jean-Paul Belmondo stars as enigmatic gangster Silien who may or may not be responsible for squealing on Faugel (Serge Reggiani) just released from the slammer and already involved in what should have been a simple heist. By the end of this brutal twisty and multilayered policier who will be left to trust? Shot and edited with Melville's trademark cool and featuring masterfully stylized dialogue and performances Le doulos (slang for an informant) is one of the filmmaker's most gripping crime dramas.
Part original part documentary and part reconstruction Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno tells the emotional story of the ill-fated film project L'enfer an enigmatic and original film about a hotel manager who becomes possessed by the demons of jealousy.
Casque d'or is a 1952 French film directed by Jacques Becker (Touchez pas au Grisbi). Evoking the Belle Epoque period perfectly, this story of an ill-fated love affair stars Simone Signoret (Room At The Top, Les Diaboliques) as Marie and Serge Reggiani (Les Miserable, The Pianist) as Manda. When gangster’s moll Marie falls for reformed criminal Manda their passion incites an underworld rivalry that leads to treachery and tragedy. Special Features: At the Heart of Emotions - the Legend of Golden Marie Featurette
One of Melville's own favourite films in which ambiguity is the name of the game as a convicted burglar completes his incarceration only to get himself straight back into trouble...
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