385 - Army of Shadows

[criterionmaster]

Jean-Pierre Melville’s masterpiece about the French Resistance against the Nazi occupation went unreleased in the United States for thirty-seven years, before its triumphant theatrical debut in 2006. Atmospheric and gripping, Army of Shadows is Melville’s most personal film, featuring Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, and the incomparable Simone Signoret as intrepid underground fighters who must grapple with their own brand of honor in their battle against Hitler's regime.

SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES:
- New high-definition digital transfer of the recent full restoration, supervised by director of photography Pierre Lhomme
- Optional Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 soundtrack
- Audio commentary by Jean-Pierre Melville historian Ginette Vincendeau
- New interviews with Lhomme and editor Françoise Bonnot
- Archival excerpts from French television programs, including on-set footage from the film’s production and interviews with Melville; actors Jean-Pierre Cassel, Paul Crauchet, Paul Meurisse, and Simone Signoret; writer Joseph Kessel; and real-life Resistance fighters André Dewavrin (a.k.a. Colonel Passy) and Lucie Aubrac, among others
- Jean-Pierre Melville et "L'Armée des ombres" (2006), a short documentary including interviews with Bonnot, Lhomme, Cassel, composer Eric Demarsan, writer and filmmaker Philippe Labro, and filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier
- Le journal de la Résistance (1944), a rare short documentary shot on the front lines of the final days of the French Resistance
- Film restoration demonstration by Lhomme
- Theatrical trailers
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- PLUS: A booklet featuring critic Amy Taubin, historian Robert Paxton, and excerpts from Rui Nogueira’s Melville on Melville
- More!

[criterionmaster]

updated.

[criterionmaster]

www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDreviews26/army_in_the_shadows.htm

Looks like it got a really good review, and I guess it is slightly better all around than the bfi edition. Anyone thinking about getting this film, or is interested in it?

[captainofbeef]

I can't wait to see this, its Melville and its history based. Couldn't get much better in my opinion.

[eatawiiner]

criterionmaster said:

www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDreviews26/army_in_the_shadows.htm

Looks like it got a really good review, and I guess it is slightly better all around than the bfi edition. Anyone thinking about getting this film, or is interested in it?

I cant wait to see this. On the fence about buying it, but a theater near me played it for two weeks and somehow I missed it, and this was after the CC release announcement. The set looks amazing. Since im a CC nut i'd pick it over the Bfi edish, but both sound well worth the ching.

[criterionmaster]

Just saw this picture on criterion.com:



I will probably give this a rent first, I need my money, and I don't think I can blind buy this film. There is just too much I need right now. Although that review got me even more excited about this.

[eatawiiner]

I loved Army of Shadows. Much better than Pan's Labrynth sp? and I think better than Children of Men. Out of all the '06 films i loved (maybe save Wristcutters), this film is the best. Rent it, buy it, do what you gotta do to see it, just check it.

[criterionmaster]

eatawiiner said:

I loved Army of Shadows. Much better than Pan's Labrynth sp? and I think better than Children of Men. Out of all the '06 films i loved (maybe save Wristcutters), this film is the best. Rent it, buy it, do what you gotta do to see it, just check it.

Wow, if it is better than Pan's Labyrinth I definitely need to see it. Thanks for getting me more pumped for this, you probably pushed me enough to add it towards the top of my queue.

[eatawiiner]

you gotta see dude, its a wonderful film that would suite anyones taste imo. Im off to get Sansho tonight, i've heard incredibly wonderful things about that one.