Product Details

• Actors: Gerard Philipe, Gina Lollobrigida
• Directors: Christian-Jacque
• Format: Black & White, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: French
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Criterion Collection
• DVD Release Date: November 18, 2008
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001EP8ELM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,035 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Fanfan La Tulipe" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

FANFAN LA TULIPE - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvellous romp, October 26, 2008

By 

R. de Aquino (Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fanfan La Tulipe (DVD)

Indeed, a welcome release. This 1951 French comedy by Christian-Jaque has been treasured by generations of moviegoers, and with good reason. It is a perfectly realized swashbuckler filled with fine humor and Gallic dalliance, and interpreted by a wonderful cast headed by the greatest French actor of his generation, Gerard Philipe. Shot on the Riviera in locations that do evoke 18th-century France, FANFAN LA TULIPE is a film to be savoured on a minute-to-minute basis, since its delightful attractions never seem to end.

Particular mention must be made to the fact that Gina Lollobrigida had the first great opportunity of her career in this film. It amazes one to think that this exquisite actress had already been featured in 17 films since 1946, and practically had to leave Italy in order to become a star. This, notwithstanding the obvious potential she had shown in PAGLIACCI (1948), in which she is a a knockout as Leoncavallo's heroine, Nedda.

All in all, a film to be enjoyed many times, and for many reasons.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Criterion Collection - Indispensable Authority on Film, December 6, 2008

By 

Leif Sheppard (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fanfan La Tulipe (DVD)

This is a prime example of the influence Criterion asserts on film fans. Until three weeks ago I had never heard of "Fanfan la Tulipe" nor it's primary stars. I read the brief blurb at the Criterion site before nearly impulsively purchasing the dvd. Not surprisingly, I wasn't disappointed with either the dvd presentation or the quality of the film itself.

As I've come to expect from Criterion - the film print looks fantastic and the essay booklet is interesting and informative. The Criterion essays are always important because they not only provide a bit of background information behind the film, but also point out the lasting influence the work acheived. For instance, this essay includes an amusing quote from critic Georges Sadoul as well as a few ideas on why this film isn't as well known today despite its popularity upon release.

There are numerious distillations of the hilariously clever plot of this film, so I won't go into that. Suffice it to say that if you're a fan of period films, particularly Tyrone Power or Errol Flynn swashbucklers, you're going to have a great time with this one.

This is one Criterion film in which there simply isn't much bonus material. The brief program about lead actor Gerard Philipe is the only one of note here. The colorized clip isn't worth much, but I'm always happy for anything extra on a dvd.

Side notes: Film snobs may whine that "popcorn" releases such as this aren't worthy of the iconic Criterion logo, but its just this sort of celluloid elitism that Criterion is trying to dispel. No longer will the casual film buff search the world over and pay too much for a copy of films like "Before the Rain" or "Mon Oncle Antoine".

The influence, quality, and importance of a film is really all quite subjective anyway. I count "This Sporting Life" among the greatest character studies ever made, while you may find it a boring two hour exercise in watching a dumb brute driving the widow he lives with insane.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More fun than the 3 Musketeers???, September 19, 2008

By 

Ardeal "Emi" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Fanfan La Tulipe (DVD)

I have been waiting for this DVD for many years - it is a nice way to complete one's collection of 17th & 18th century, French adventure related movies such as The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Count of Monte Cristo, Scaramouche and Angelique to name but a few.
Because of its great action scenes, this movie did very well in the US back in the 50s when it was first released. It was even thought of as a "French western".
To use an analogy between the main star and a famous American star, Gerard Philipe was in many ways the French James Dean. Very popular in France, he had the misfortune of an early death (Philipe died one week short of his 37th birthday). On the other hand, Gerard Philipe's athletic performances may remind some of Johnny Weissmuller rather then the cool Dean ...