46 / BD 28 Le Silence de la mer
- What A Disgrace
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46 / BD 28 Le Silence de la mer
Le Silence de la mer
Le Silence de la mer – Jean-Pierre Melville’s debut film – is an adaptation of the novella of the same title by celebrated French Resistance author Vercors (the pen name of Jean Bruller). Clandestinely written in 1942 during the Nazi occupation of France and furtively distributed, it captured the spirit of the moment, and quickly became a staple of the Resistance.
Melville’s cinematic adaptation – partly shot in Vercors’ own house – tells the story of a German officer, Werner von Ebrennac (Howard Vernon), who is billeted to the house of an elderly man (Jean-Marie Robain) and his niece (Nicole Stéphane) in occupied France.
One of the most important French films to deal with World War II, and a landmark in Melville’s distinguished œuvre, Le Silence de la mer is a lyrical, timeless depiction of the experiences and struggles of occupation and resistance. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Melville’s debut film for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK.
DUAL FORMAT RELEASE INCLUDING BLU-RAY AND DVD VERSIONS OF THE FILM
Special Features
• New high-definition original aspect ratio transfer, licensed from Gaumont
• New and improved optional English subtitles on the feature, documentary, and trailer
• Video discussion by Ginette Vincendeau, professor of French cinema at King’s College London [23:00]
• Melville Out of the Shadows – a new French-made documentary about Melville’s film [41:00] (Blu-ray only)
• Original theatrical trailer (Blu-ray only)
• 56-PAGE BOOKLET including an article by Ginette Vincendeau, author of Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris, and a Melville interview by Rui Nogueira, author of Melville on Melville
Le Silence de la mer – Jean-Pierre Melville’s debut film – is an adaptation of the novella of the same title by celebrated French Resistance author Vercors (the pen name of Jean Bruller). Clandestinely written in 1942 during the Nazi occupation of France and furtively distributed, it captured the spirit of the moment, and quickly became a staple of the Resistance.
Melville’s cinematic adaptation – partly shot in Vercors’ own house – tells the story of a German officer, Werner von Ebrennac (Howard Vernon), who is billeted to the house of an elderly man (Jean-Marie Robain) and his niece (Nicole Stéphane) in occupied France.
One of the most important French films to deal with World War II, and a landmark in Melville’s distinguished œuvre, Le Silence de la mer is a lyrical, timeless depiction of the experiences and struggles of occupation and resistance. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Melville’s debut film for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK.
DUAL FORMAT RELEASE INCLUDING BLU-RAY AND DVD VERSIONS OF THE FILM
Special Features
• New high-definition original aspect ratio transfer, licensed from Gaumont
• New and improved optional English subtitles on the feature, documentary, and trailer
• Video discussion by Ginette Vincendeau, professor of French cinema at King’s College London [23:00]
• Melville Out of the Shadows – a new French-made documentary about Melville’s film [41:00] (Blu-ray only)
• Original theatrical trailer (Blu-ray only)
• 56-PAGE BOOKLET including an article by Ginette Vincendeau, author of Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris, and a Melville interview by Rui Nogueira, author of Melville on Melville
- zedz
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:24 pm
- Via_Chicago
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:03 pm
I often waver over what I consider to be Melville's greatest film, but Le Silence de la Mer is one of them. What's most remarkable about the film is that it was Melville's first film, made with mostly his own resources, without the help of a studio, and against absolutely enormous odds (he promised to burn all prints of the film if it wasn't approved by a panel of Resistance members and the author of the novel itself). But as Melville himself said, he understood film theory perfectly, he just didn't know how to make a film. He learned how to make a film by making this masterpiece. Unbelievable.
I've only seen Le Silence de la Mer in a relatively mediocre VHS version. I haven't plunged for an MOC disc yet because of cost, but I'd do it for this film.
I've only seen Le Silence de la Mer in a relatively mediocre VHS version. I haven't plunged for an MOC disc yet because of cost, but I'd do it for this film.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
I don't believe Deux hommes dans Manhattan is on DVD with English subs, but please, someone tell me I'm wrong so I can buy it this seconddavidhare wrote:This is simply wonderful news.
After l'Armee des Ombres this must surely be the last remaining Melville masterpiece to get a DVD release, and I hope it's completely revelatory to all..
- HerrSchreck
- Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2005 11:46 am
- Matt
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:58 pm
Nick, if you're looking for fresh voices for either a commentary, an essay, or whatever, might I suggest Tim Palmer? He's an old school chum who wrote his dissertation on Melville. I mention him not out of nepotism (I actually haven't seen him in years), but because I think he would do a good job.
- Don Lope de Aguirre
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:39 pm
- Location: London
- What A Disgrace
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Also from HMV for £11.99 (not sure about international orders mind).
Really looking forward to this, most of my limited expierence with regard to Jean-Pierre Melville films has been his later works, so it will be interesting to see the response now that it is soon to be available to a wider audience...kudos as always MOC.
Really looking forward to this, most of my limited expierence with regard to Jean-Pierre Melville films has been his later works, so it will be interesting to see the response now that it is soon to be available to a wider audience...kudos as always MOC.
- What A Disgrace
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- not perpee
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- Don Lope de Aguirre
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:39 pm
- Location: London