Product Details

• Actors: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Claude Jade, Gérard Depardieu, Fanny Ardant, Jeanne Moreau
• Directors: François Truffaut
• Writers: François Truffaut, Bernard Revon, Claude de Givray, Henri-Pierre Roché, Jean Aurel
• Format: Box set, Black & White, Color, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English, French, German, Portuguese
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 6
• Studio: Fox Lorber
• VHS Release Date: August 24, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 1572525916
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #686,639 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This boxed set of seven films by François Truffaut (five features and two short films) includes a selection of classic and lesser-known titles from the master of the French New Wave.

Jules and Jim is considered by many to be the director's masterpiece. Jeanne Moreau is superb as Catherine, an enigmatic woman who comes between two friends in this exquisitely paced story of a doomed love triangle. The Woman Next Door, made 20 years later in 1981, also explores the potentially destructive power of love. Gérard Depardieu plays a married man whose life is turned upside down by the return of a former lover. A third film explores the dark side of passion--The Soft Skin, made in 1964. When a successful, married publisher (Jean Desailly) embarks on an affair with an airline stewardess, deception, jealousy, and passion combine to create a potentially lethal cocktail.

Three films in this set trace the life of Antoine Doinel, a character who first appeared in Truffaut's The 400 Blows. Antoine and Colette, originally part of an episodic film by several directors entitled L'Amour à vingt ans (1962), appears here with another charming short film, Les Mistons (1957). In Stolen Kisses (1968), Antoine is in his twenties, just out of the army, and looking for love and employment, while in Bed and Board (1970), he has married and has a child, although parenthood hasn't made him any more mature. These films document an extraordinary collaboration between Truffaut and actor Jean-Pierre Leaud, together creating one of the most fascinating and enduring characters in cinema. --Simon Leake

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truffaut - Film Auteur, September 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: 8 Truffaut Six-Pack Collection [VHS] (VHS Tape)

From one of the greatest directors of all time, this collection is an excellent journey into the world of Francois Truffaut. Truffaut is a master at presenting the inner turmoil and conflict of his characters, particularly in romantic relationships.

"Jules and Jim" is the story of a love triangle between Jules and Jim, two best friends, and Catherine, played by the enchanting Jeanne Moreau. The superb direction by Truffaut displays raw and realistic human emotion, the passion and pain of their relationship, which lasts several decades.

The Antoine Doinel series offers insight into Director Truffaut's life, his onscreen alter ego. The collection includes the first four films.

"The 400 Blows" chronicles Antoine's life of crime at the age of 13, desperately trying to escape his father's wrath and his teacher's harsh words.

"Love at Twenty/Antoine et Colette", a short film of unrequited love between Doinel and an older student.

"Stolen Kisses" shows Doinel right out of an army prison, trying to find his niche with work and with women. Antoine finally decides on detective work, but cannot come to any conclusion regarding the two women in his life, an older married beauty and a young attractive musician.

"Bed and Board" finds Doinel a married man with a child. The discovery of an affair forces him out of the house and into adulthood. (I highly recommend purchasing the last film in the series - "Love on the Run" - it is not part of this collection.)

Gerard Depardieu is featured in "The Woman Next Door," former lovers who find themselves "reunited" years later when both are married to other people. Their passion is rekindled.

Another display of infidelity, "The Soft Skin" finds an author with a wife and child falling in love with a flight attendant. His inability to choose ruins one relationship and while trying to reconcile with the other; tragic events ruin his plan.

These timeless masterpieces by auteur Truffaut is an excellent addition to a film collection.