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View Full Version : What French films must I own???

seb2
12-01-2003, 22:36
I want to boost my DVD collection.

I watched Amelie last night and it made me realise I really do need a lot more French films.

Being half French myself I feel really ignorant because I only own 2 well known French films; Amelie and Dobermann...

I should also take advantage, as I don't need to read the subitles...

So what are the must haves??? ..... well known/unknown

Thanks
Roberto
12-01-2003, 22:49
Nikta
ian turner
12-01-2003, 22:56
may i suggest the following thread (http://thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56266) which at over 4 pages long must have something worth watching.
Me I'd go for Francois Ozon films, Jeunet and Caro and the Kieslowski red, white and blue trilogy (even though white is half in polish) as a start and if action films are to considered then early Luc Besson (since most of his later films are in english), Brotherhood of the wolf and L'appartement but go look at that other thread.
seb2
12-01-2003, 22:59
:rolleyes:

I know... I noticed the sticky thread at the top just after I posted this thread.... :brickwall
lorenzo
13-01-2003, 10:46
Check out the link to world cinema in my signature - it has the link above plus any otehrs discussing not only french cinema but many other must see's as well :thumbs:
Butch Coolidge
13-01-2003, 10:55
Two French Classics:

Les Enfants Du Paradis (Children of Paradise)
Le Salaire de la Peur (Wages of Fear)

BTW you can basically buy all the movies from Clouzot

You can also buy the movies of Melville:
Le Samourai, Le Doulos, Bob le Flambeur,...

All the Truffaut (Les 400 coups).
Johnny Vodka
13-01-2003, 12:04
Betty Blue and Delicatessen for starters.
new forms
13-01-2003, 12:14
have to agree with Betty Blue

are the excellent directors cut can be found here (http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/3654/id=6KncM:7G7Ti)
anield
13-01-2003, 12:18
Any Jean-Luc Godard or Jean Renoir. Sadly, you can only get Godard's 'A Bout de Souffle' (aka 'Breathless') and 'Eloge de l'amour' over here at the moment (altough 'Souffle' does include his short 'Charlotte et son Jules'). As for Renoir, 'Boudu sauve des eaux' (aka 'Boudu Saved from Drowning') is forthcoming.
Incidentally, any news on 'La Regle du jeu', surely the greatest French film of all time (indeed, one of the greatest films of all time)?
homerjhandley
13-01-2003, 12:33
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0108500

:lol: great film and english subtitles (though very watchable)

got my copy for £5 in cash convertors ages ago!
anield
13-01-2003, 12:35
Sorry but 'Les Visiteurs' is terrible (as is its english language remake 'Just Visiting'). The film is solely of interest as it beat 'Jurassic Park' at the French box-office back in '93.
Bolch
13-01-2003, 12:36
Taxi :D
DeadKenny
13-01-2003, 13:12
Everything by Luc Besson :D
cm-9
13-01-2003, 13:24
I love French costume dramas, they are the best at this:

'Le Hussard Sur Le Toit' is my favourite French film.
'La Reine Margot'
'Ridicule'
'Le Bossu'
'The Count of Monte Cristo' (5 hour TV version with Gerard Depardieu)
'Cyrano de Bergerac'
'Choans'

Other strong recommendations:
'Au Revoir Les Enfants'
'Subway'
'L'Enfer'

Hundreds of other recommendations on this excellent site:
http://frenchfilms.topcities.com/index2.html
quigs
13-01-2003, 15:19
Brotherhood of the wolf ,,, yeah good film
Johnny Vodka
13-01-2003, 15:22
If you like artsy-horror films, you might like to check out "Fascination". Bit of :norty: in it too.
Mark B
13-01-2003, 16:46
Originally posted by anield
Sorry but 'Les Visiteurs' is terrible (as is its english language remake 'Just Visiting'). The film is solely of interest as it beat 'Jurassic Park' at the French box-office back in '93.

Although I'd agree the US remake was simply dire, I think that the original had a certain charm and linguistic playfulness ("Quelle etrangeté! La gourdasee est tombée!", "Hola! L'aubergiste!") to be considered a very good comedy - but if you rely on the subtitles - I can well believe that most of the humour gets lost and all that remains are the not so funny visual gags...

I'd recommend it to someone who's fluent (and with some knowledge of old french vocabulary and grammar!)...
Blany
13-01-2003, 18:52
The Hairdressers Husband is still my favourite.
wrbruce
13-01-2003, 19:51
And of course Jean de Florette / Manon des Sources.

Willie
coolamoke
13-01-2003, 20:05
Originally posted by Johnny Vodka
Betty Blue and Delicatessen for starters.

Absolutely agree :thumbs:
jmdomain
13-01-2003, 21:49
Would recommened 'La Haine' and L'appartement' both of which stars Vincent Cassel of 'Dobermann' fame.
Bob B
13-01-2003, 22:04
Originally posted by wrbruce
And of course Jean de Florette / Manon des Sources.

Jean de Florette is a must see movie!
as is M. Hulot's Holiday.

I have also been considering getting Cyrano de Bergerac with Depardieu as Cyrano. Can anyone let me know if the R2 DVD is any good?
Drpepper
13-01-2003, 23:22
City of Lost Children
moogy20
13-01-2003, 23:32
La Haine is great.
Bick
14-01-2003, 00:27
Three Colours Trilogy.