L'Armee des ombres

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Gordon
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:03 am

L'Armee des ombres

#1 Post by Gordon » Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:32 am

L'Arme des ombres

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Released on DVD in a newly restored print, following its theatrical release by the BFI earlier this year, Jean-Pierre Melville's gripping adaptation of Joseph Kessel's seminal wartime novel has been praised as one of the greatest and the most authentic film portrayals of the French Resistance.

A personal project for over 25 years and drawing on his own experience of fighting for the Resistance, the film shares the existential themes of his gangster epics Le Samourai and Le Cercle rouge and shows Melville's mastery of suspense.

Set between the Autumn of 1942 and February 1943, the film follows the story of a band of Resistance fighters living under German-controlled France. As the war continues, the grip of the occupying force tightens and friendships, trust and loyalty give way to secrecy, suspicion and loss.

A tribute to the heroic activities of the everyday members of the Resistance, L'Arme des ombres is a tense, atmospheric tour de force featuring powerful performances from Simone Signoret, Lino Ventura and Jean-Pierre Cassel, and a striking cameo from Serge Reggiani.

Extras:

- Commentary by Professor Ginette Vincendeau, author of Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris (BFI)
- Le Journal de la Resistance (1945, 33 mins, b&w) - a rare documentary from the archive of the Imperial War Museum with English commentary by Noel Coward
- Rarely seen short film about Jean-Pierre Melville from 1968, with footage of him directing on set (4 mins, colour)
- Illustrated booklet including essay by Jean-Michel Frodon and a review of the film on its original release by Jean-Louis Comolli, both from Cahiers du cinema magazine; director biography

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antnield
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:59 pm
Location: Cheltenham, England

L'Armee des ombres

#2 Post by antnield » Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:43 am

Gordon wrote:Jean-Pierre Melville's sublime, L'Armee des ombres was rated 12a by the BBFC on 26 July, after being submitted by the BFI. Go here.

So I emailed Ginette Vincendeau (author of Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris) and she informed me that the BFI intend to re-release the film in selected cinemas early next year and that she will be recording a commentary. Prints of this film have been awful in recent years, so a new, clean print will be joyous and the DVD will be first time that the film has had an official release on video in the UK (was there a VHS in the U.S.?).

Rialto own the film in the USA, so expect a DVD next year from Criterion.

There seems to have been some difficulty in locating the camera negative for L'Armee, but we now have a French DVD (with np English subtitles), the BFI release and Rialto's release. The sooner I can see this film again, the better.
It's also worth adding that this is the full-length version, comes with lengthy interview with Dominique Delouche and has optional English subs. Put those together with the fine presentation and we have what is the definitive 'Il bidone' release to date.

mario gauci
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:58 pm
Location: Naxxar, Malta.

#3 Post by mario gauci » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:38 pm

Gordon wrote:No specs for Army of Shadows yet.
From the Moviemail website

"DVD Extras

Commentary by Ginette Vincendeau; "Le Journal et la Resistance" (1945, 33 mins) - a rare documentary from the Imperial War Museum, with commentary by Noel Coward; Rare short film about Melville from 1968; Illustrated booklet, including Cahriers du Cinema review."

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Pinakotheca
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 2:49 pm

#4 Post by Pinakotheca » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:20 pm

L'Armée Des Ombres looks to be as brilliant as I hoped!

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MichaelB
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
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#5 Post by MichaelB » Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:46 am

DVDBeaver on L'Armée des ombres...

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Gordon
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:03 am

#6 Post by Gordon » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:14 am

[Swoon]

Magnificent release by the BFI. Potential "DVD of the Year" for this Melvillian.

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