:
Ingrid Bergman,
Jean Gabin,
Anna Magnani,
more...
:
Jean Renoir,
Jean Renoir
see all cast/crew...
: Criterion
: Costume Drama/Period Piece, Criterion Collection, Foreign, France, Classic Action/Adventure, Classic Action/Adventure, Adventure, Classic Action/Adventure
: English, French
: English
see additional details...
|
|
Elena and Her Men (Criterion Collection) (1956)
In the 1950s, French films were considered the ne plus ultra in naughtiness by certain impressionable filmgoers. It was to these movie fans that the American distributor of Jean Renoir's Elena et les Hommes (Elena and the Men) catered when it provocatively retitled the picture Paris Does Strange Things As further grist to the mill for American publicity hacks, the film starred Ingrid Bergman, who had recently returned to Hollywood after her career was nearly ruined by a marital scandal. Actually there was nothing overtly erotic about Paris Does Strange Things. The film was a sweet romantic comedy wherein Bergman plays a poverty-stricken Polish princess, who is wooed by eligible admirers Mel Ferrer and Jean Marais. Will she marry for love, or merely to restore her wealth? The suspense is bearable. Inexpertly cut to 86 minutes for its American showings, Paris Does Strange Things was restored to its full 98 minutes in 1986 and its title reverted to Elena et les Hommes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
French Cancan (Criterion Collection) (1955)
Beautifully photographed, this comedy drama from Jean Renoir chronicles the revival of Paris' most notorious dance as it tells the story of a theater producer who turns a humble washerwoman into a star at the Moulin Rouge. The film is also title Only the French Can. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
The Golden Coach (Criterion Collection) (1952)
Set in 18th-century South America, The Golden Coach (Le Carrosse D'Or) stars Anna Magnani as an earthy Commedia Del Arte performer. Magnani is lusted after by diplomat Duncan Lamont, who leaves both his job and his mistress to pursue the sexy actress. Also vying for Magnani's favors are a bullfighter and a nobleman. Magnani tries to avert bloodshed by giving away the Golden Coach that had been bestowed upon her by the expansive Lamont. When director Jean Renoir was asked if he intended The Golden Coach to be Pirandellian, what with its linking of reality and theatricality, Renoir responded that his intention was to establish that "life is life and the stage is the stage." Maybe so, but the film's brilliant Technicolor and superb performances easily transcend that mundane entity known as Real Life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Special Features:
- Introduction to the film by Jean Renoir
- Video introduction by Director Martin Scorsese
- Jean Renoir Parle de Son Art: Part One of Jacques Rivette's three-part interview with Renoir
- A collection of rare production stills
- A new essay by Writer Jonathan Rosenbaum on The Golden Coach, French Cancan, and Elena and Her Men, and an original essay by Film Critic Andrew Sarris
|
| Elena and Her Men (Criterion Collection) (1956) |
 add to list
|
|
|
| French Cancan (Criterion Collection) (1955) |
|
add to list
|
|
|
| The Golden Coach (Criterion Collection) (1952) |
|
add to list
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your cart
etaviotal
© 2006 All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide®,
a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.