![LE BEAU SERGE [HANDSOME SERGE] (Masters of Cinema) (DVD)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vG4JjRvYL.jpg)
SYNOPSIS: Gérard Blain and Jean - Claude Brialy star in the first of their collaborations with the great Claude Chabrol. The director's masterful feature debut - ironic, funny, unsparing - is a revelation: another of that rare breed of film where the dusty formula might be used in full sincerity: Le Beau Serge marks the beginning of " the Chabrol touch. " In this first feature film of the French New Wave, one year before Truffaut's The Four Hundred Blows, the dandyish François (Brialy, of Godard's A Woman Is a Woman, Rohmer's Claire's Knee, and countless other cornerstones of 20th - century French cinema) takes a holiday from the city to his home village of Sardent, where he reconnects with his old chum Serge (Blain), now a besotted and hopeless alcoholic, and sly duplicitous carnal Marie (Bernadette Lafont). A grave triangle forms, and a tragic slide ensues. From Le Beau Serge onward up to his final film Bellamy in 2009, the revered Chabrol would come to leave a significant and lasting impression upon the French cinema - frequently with great commercial success. It is with great pride that we present Le Beau Serge , the kickstart of the Nouvelle Vague and of Chabrol's enormous body of work, on Blu - ray and DVD in the UK for the first time. SPECIAL DVD EDITION: Gorgeous new Gaumont restoration of the film in its original aspect ratio New and improved English subtitles Original theatrical trailer A 56 - minute documentary about the making of the film L' Avarice [ Avarice] , Chabrol's 1962 short film A lengthy booklet with a new and exclusive essay by critic Emmanuel Burdeau; excerpts of interviews and writing by Chabrol; and more. REVIEWS: " It presents a bleak, beautifully observed picture of provincial life" - Time Out " Le Beau Serge received overwhelming critical approval of its use of non-professional actors, raw black-and-white photography (masterfully executed by Henri Decae), and personal vision. " - TV Guide's Movie Guide
A**Y
Looks fantastic
I thought that “Le Beau Serge” was a pretty amazing film. It was made sixty years ago and was Claude Chabrol’s first feature film as well as being the first feature film for Bernadette Lafont.I love the look of this film. One can tell that it is fiction, and that it is even perhaps over-acted in parts and yet on the other hand it has an almost documentary feel about it and taken as a whole – I think it is fantastic.If you like French cinema from the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s then I would definitely recommend “Le Beau Serge”.The DVD (Amazon ASIN: B00AMECA4S) comes with a thirty-two page booklet that has information and some great photographs of the three main cast and of the director. The cover of the booklet has on the cover what looks like a poster from the time of the film’s release and the poster shows a pivotal moment in the film that is full of symbolism (to say any more could be a spoiler!).The DVD itself has got:“Le Beau Serge” (1 hour 39 minutes)Chapters Selection“Chabrol Launches The Wave: Part 1” (55 minute documentary feature)“L’Avarice” (18 minutes). Short film from 1962Theatrical Trailer for “Le Beau Serge” (3 minutes)
C**S
A Refreshing Change from Hollywood
I was 11 years old when this film burst on to the international cinema scene, and since I was no cinematic child prodigy, it passed me by. Now, 56 years later, this dvd has enabled me to begin catching up with what the nouvelle vague was all about. I understand French, so it was a joy to be able to watch Chabrol's debut masterpiece at home; although I must admit to falling back on the subtitles a few times when the provincial dialect became heavy. Some clever digital work appears to have been done to restore the print, which is great. Now onwards to its twin film, Les Cousins. This is a great buy for anyone interested in classic European cinema, and a very refreshing change from the offerings from Hollywood.
S**B
Intense.
The 1st Chabrol is a very intense movie. The acting of Brialy, Blain & Lafont is sublime. A story of true friendship where one friend does everything in his power to save the other however it is not that easy because Serge has a huge alcohol addiction. Again sheer beautiful packaging by Eureka! and interesting extra's. A true must have for each admiror of the nouvelle vague.
A**R
Step into the real world!
Classic tale of a complex triangle,the restoration of virtue and nobility within the confines of an insular life. Cast aside the Hollywood flim flam old and new and step into the real world, the birth of New wave cinema!
K**D
Four Stars
A good movie- stays with you
M**S
but good transfer.
OK film, not in the league of his later ones, but good transfer .
M**N
Five Stars
One of my favourite films! Thanks for speedy service
M**N
I support the new wave
Serge has obviously observed Jimmy Dean at work - all a bit method - but it's great stuff for all that.
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