Army of Shadows (1969) Criterion 1080p BluRay 10Bit HEVC EAC3-SARTRE + Extras

WWII tale of heroic French Resistance fighters battling the occupying Nazi forces. Vignettes include an escape from Gestapo headquarters, the execution of a traitor and the attempted rescue of a tortured comrade. Critically ignored in France when it first opened in 1969, the film was later rediscovered and hailed as a lost masterpiece, finally receiving a U.S. release in 2006. Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simone Signoret, Claude Mann, and Christian Barbier co-star. Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, who served in the French Resistance himself before becoming a filmmaker.

Sample Clip (Download for actual quality)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B77BuxFtBmKtS0cyMUVSYzJoclU



Extras

• "Jean-Pierre Melville, Filmmaker" - In this introductory piece, directed by Jacques Dupont and part of the show Chroniques de France, Jean-Pierre Melville discusses what inspired him to shoot Army of Shadows, how he interacts with the actors he likes to work with, etc. In French, with optional English subtitles. (5 min, 720p).

• Pierre Lhomme - In this interview, cinematographer Pierre Lhomme, who supervised the restoration of Army of Shadows, discusses the various obstacles that had to be overcome to reproduce as best as possible the original look of the film. A collection of stills from the film is also included. In French, with optional English subtitles. (15 min, 720p).

• Francoise Bonnot - In this interview, recorded for Criterion in 2006, Oscar-winning editor Francoise Bonnot discusses Jean-Pierre Melville's legacy and her family's relationship with the director. In English, not subtitled. (11 min, 720p).

• L'invite du dimanche - A selection of excerpts from the French television program L'invite du dimanche, containing interviews with Jean-Pierre Melville, actors Paul Crauchet, Jean-Pierre Cassel, and Simone Signoret, writer Joseph Kessel, and Andre Dewavrin (a.k.a Colonel Passy). Originally aired in 1969. In French, with optional English subtitles. (31 min, 720p).

• Melville et "L'armee des ombres - A documentary film, produced by Philippe Quinconneau for Studio Canal, in which actor Jean-Pierre Cassel, editor Francoise Bonnot, Writer and filmmaker Philippe Labro, composer Eric Demarsan, cinematographer Pierre Lhomme, and director Bertrand Tavernier discuss the legacy and public image of Jean-Pierre Melville. In French, with optional English subtitles. (27 min, 720p).

• Le Journal de la Resistance - Shot primarily by twelve French cameramen (led by Jean Painleve and Jean Gremillon) in August 1944, Le journal de la Resistance captures the final French insurrection in German-occupied Paris, the surrender of the Germans, and the mass celebration in the streets. It aimed to restore France's reputation as a unified country and continues to be shown to commemorate that victorious time. Narrated by Noel Coward, the film was sponsored by the Liberation Committee of the French Cinema. In French, with optional English subtitles. (35 min, 720p).

• Simone Signoret and Lucie Aubrac - Short interview excerpts from Liberation, liberation: Le cinema de l'ombre in which Simone Signoret and Lucie Aubrac, who was an inspiration for Mathilde in Army of Shadows, discuss Jean-Pierre Melville's film. In French, with optional English subtitles. (6 min, 720p).

• Ouvrez les guillemets - Excerpts from an episode of the popular French television series in which former members of the Resistance recall their activities. The episode was directed by Claude Barma, and originally aired in April 1973. In French, with optional English subtitles. (24 min, 720p).

• Original Theatrical Trailer - The original French trailer for Army of Shadows. In French, with optional English subtitles. (3 min, 720p).

• Commentary - In this audio commentary, recorded for the British Film Institute in 2006, film historian Ginette Vincendeau discusses Jean-Pierre Melville's involvement with the French Resistance, Joseph Kessel's novel, the various similarities between the French director's gangster films and Army of Shadows, the mixed reviews the film received from various critics after it premiered in France, its main characters, the unique use of color, unorthodox message, etc. In English, not subtitled.