The Films of Jacques Tati (Picas Series 40) [Paperback]

Michel Chion (Author)

Book Description

Series: Picas Series 40 | Publication Date: June 1, 2003

Life never ceases to give homage to Jacques Tati. Be it on the beach, in an old part of town, or in the glamour of a modern city, we find everywhere the gags which have peopled such films as Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot and Playtime. If a silhouette crosses us at a street corner, we are quickly reminded of certain scenes in Mon Oncle. Tati was a great film comic who deserves to be placed on the same level as Keaton and Chaplin. Tati created Monsieur Hulot who has now entered the world of screen legends. Above all, Jacques Tati was an exemplary artist who was not scared of taking risks or to invest his entire being in the making of his films. From Jour de fete to Parade, there is a Tati-World which this study invites us to discover. Michael Chion is a critic at Les Cashiers du cinema and has published numerous works which develop his theories on the art of sound in cinema (La Voix au cinema and Le Son au cinema). A musical composer, Michael Chion is also the author of Eponine, which was awarded the Prix Jean-Vigo in 1985.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Michel Chion

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Guernica Editions; 2nd edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155071175X
• ISBN-13: 978-1550711752
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,684,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read- Period!, September 13, 2000

By 

Joey - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Films of Jacques Tati: 14 (Essay series) (Paperback)

Anybody who has every experienced that odd feeling of fascination while watching a Tati film will find Chion's cinematic psychotherapy a beautiful treasure. Chion is a wonderful poet and a brilliant film theorist; I would expect nothing less to pay tribute to Tati's magnificent artistry.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars May not be the right choice..., May 3, 2005

By 

C. Bassett - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Films of Jacques Tati (Picas Series 40) (Paperback)

Very poetic, lyrical writing style with some interesting thoughts about Tati's films. HOWEVER, and it's a big however, this may not be the right book for you if you're looking for a more historical or biographic story behind Tati and his work. That's what I was looking for, and I didn't really find it here. If you're looking for a straightforward chronologic analysis of Tati's films, read David Bellos' book instead.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Incomparable Tati, October 23, 2009

By 

John P. Tindall "skinman" (Kent, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Films of Jacques Tati (Picas Series 40) (Paperback)

Since seeing M. Hulot's Holiday in 1960, I've been a great fan. This book has provided me with the insights to his genius without having to struggle with the French. The writing style of the translation is easy to read, informative, with print large enough for my elderly eyes. Thank.