Series 4 - Raymond Bernard

[wkw]

One of the greatest and least-known directors of all time, Raymond Bernard helped shape French cinema, at the dawn of the sound era, into a truly formidable industry. Typical of films from this period, Bernard's dazzling dramas painted intimate melodrama on epic-scale canvases. These two masterpieces—the wrenching World War I tragedy Wooden Crosses and a mammoth, nearly five-hour Les misérables, widely considered the greatest film adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel—exemplify the formal and narrative brilliance of an unjustly overshadowed cinematic trailblazer.

Three-Disc Set Includes:

Wooden Crosses


Hailed by the New York Times on its Paris release as "one of the great films in motion picture history," Raymond Bernard's Wooden Crosses, France's answer to All Quiet on the Western Front, still stuns with its depiction of the travails of one French regiment during World War I. Using a masterful arsenal of film techniques, from haunting matte paintings to jarring documentary-like camerawork in the film's battle sequences, Bernard created a pacifist work of enormous empathy and chilling despair. No one who has ever seen this technical and emotional powerhouse has been able to forget it.

Les Misérables


Hailed by film critics around the world as the greatest screen adapation of Victor Hugo's mammoth nineteenth-century novel, Raymond Bernard's dazzling, nearly five-hour Les misérables is a breathtaking tour de force, unfolding with the depth and detail of its source. Featuring stunning art direction and cinematography and unforgettable performances by the exquisite Harry Baur (who died tragically during World War II), as Jean Valjean, and the legendary Charles Vanel, as Inspector Javert, Les misérables is one of the triumphs of French filmmaking.

[captainofbeef]

Very interested in this set. Thanks for putting this up since Dan is currently sick. Les Miserables is one of the best plays ever and the movie intrigues me.

[ie]

Oh, so when wkw puts something like this up, he gets the praise of a thousand suns, but when I put something like this up, it's "oh, you silly fool, wait for C-Dan to come back!!!"


Looks interesting, but this line isn't really too interesting to me, in part because it's so hypocritical. The whole point of this Eclipse was to release low-priced DVDs, and then they go and release four box sets? With Early Bergman being $70 and Documentaries of Louis Malle being $56 at Amazon? I know, that's harsh especially talking to the Criterion Kids club, but I'm just saying. Sure, maybe they're $15 each or whatever, but I thought there would be individual movies like maybe re-releasing a barebones (or their old release) of Walkabout or you know, something like that. I also can't afford any of these series, just can't.

[captainofbeef]

Sorry ie...

Yea, they are expensive. I really don't see the point of Eclipse if the films aren't cheaper. I mean in theory, they are like 15 bucks each like you pointed out, ie. But if they truly wanted to save us money, they would release the films individually.

[wkw]

I totally agree with you ie. The Bergman and Malle set don't seem that interesting to me. However this and the Ozu set are full of excellent movies. And at $40 for two movies (3 discs), this set is more in line which what Eclipse is intended for.

[ie]

No problem Beef, and I'm glad my slight rant turned out well for both of you.


I'm not shy about getting box sets - I mean, it looks like I may be getting the Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky box set for almost $40 - but I think it would have been in their best interest to start us off with a couple almost freebies. Really show us what this line is fucking made of, rather than just giving us box sets. I can't blind buy box sets, but I can blind buy a $10 movie that looks kinda cool.

For example, let's say this box set weren't around, and instead, they released Wooden Crosses. There would have been a decent possibility of me just blind buying it because (a) the movie looks interesting based on the cover and (b, much less of a focus) I'd want to see if this Eclipse series is really worth the bother.


But don't worry, I'm sure the movies are probably really good. Maybe even worth the moneys.

[criterionmaster]

I am also interested in this set, thanks for sharing the information. The main thing I am interested about, is getting into new filmmakers. I love hearing about, or seeing films from, a new "master" director. Plus, any film that long interests me, and it is suppose to be great.

When the Eclipse was really announced, and not just rumored, they said something like “cheap affordable sets.” And if you look at the regular Criterion sets, they are much more expensive. I can see the complaints, and I agree with you guys. Buying all these will take a lot out of me, but you could just save like maybe $8-$12 dollars a week or so, then at the end of the end of the month you could have the Ozu set coming out (which I will buy), and if you use Borders coupons and stuff it is definitely worth it. I did wish Criterion did like little Criterion "bargain bins" where you could go and pick a film up for $9.99 or something, that would be awesome, seeing as how, if I get like $20 dollars I always spend it, so I rarely get up enough at one time to afford these. It seems like we should be able to get this set for like $20 something with that 30% Borders coupon. Does anyone know how much this set costs?

[criterionmaster]

www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews32/raymond_bernard.htm

this dude said the set is under $25 online!!! wow, that is an insane deal. i really want to see both of these films.