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Special Features
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer approved by the diretor
- "Le poulet" (1962), director Claude Berri’s Oscar-winning short film
- New video interviews with Berri and actor Alain Cohen
- #Interviews from 1967 with Berri and Michel Simon
- #An excerpt from “The Jewish Children of Occupied France,” a 1975 French talk-show segment
- Original theatrical trailer
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- A booklet featuring a new essay by critic David Sterritt, an appreciation of the film by François Truffaut, and excerpts from Berri’s memoir
Editorial Reviews
A Jewish boy living in Nazi-occupied Paris is sent by his parents to the countryside to live with an elderly Catholic couple until France’s liberation. Forced to hide his identity, the eight-year-old, Claude (played delicately by first-time actor Alain Cohen), bonds with the irascible, staunchly anti-Semitic Grampa (Michel Simon), who improbably becomes his friend and confidant. Poignant and lighthearted, The Two of Us was acclaimed director Claude Berri’s debut feature, based on his own childhood experiences, and gave the legendary Simon one of his most memorable roles in the twilight of his career.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Barefoot Boy
I haven't seen this movie since its original theatrical release, but it's one that stays with you forever. The great french actor Michel Simon, whom many U.S. moviegoers may remember as the crusty old locomotive engineer in "The Train", plays an aged french anti-semite who becomes the unaware guardian of a little Jewish boy sent to his farm to escape Nazi persecution. The simple story of bonding and endearing friendship despite their diverse backgrounds is made especially compelling by the superb performances of the film's two main players.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
The addition of "The Two of Us" to the Criterion Collection disappoints only in having taken too long to come to fruition. Besides the justly celebrated film, we are given a booklet containing an appreciative review by critic emeritus David Sterritt and autobiographical excerpts by Francois Truffaut and the film's director, Claude Berri, together with the usual acknowledgments, scene titles, and cast listing. Extras on the DVD include Berri's Oscar-winning short, "Le Poulet," historical clips of veteran actor Michel Simon--the old man--and contemporary interviews with Berri and with Alain Cohen who played the child and who is instantly recognizable forty years later. It is a splendid store, and students who are assigned--as they will be-- criticisms to write will find everything they need and more for plagiarizing.
All this and the movie, too! Simon, Cohen and Berri have been amply praised by critics with stronger credentials than my own, so I will allow the interviews and the film to speak for me. What higher praise for the acting than this from Berri: "If you have to direct, you've chosen the wrong actor." How better to summarize the film in one line than by the child's question before he meets the old man: "Why doesn't he like Jews if he is nice?" The old man is all that a surrogate grandfather should be: empathetic, loving, comforting, and playful. "I'll teach you myself," he says when the boy is cruelly treated at school, and teach him he does, from an abundant store of misinformation and prejudice, which the boy pumps from him with the impudent certainty that it is all nonsense.
When the village children and their teacher are cruel, it is casual cruelty to a stranger from Paris, not to one of the hated Jews. The war is there, too, with propaganda from the radio, rationing, and overhead bombers, and we are aware, as the child is not, of the devastating consequences should he forget his Catholic prayer, his false name, or the need to dress and bathe in private. Berri, in his interview, says that amidst much suffering, it was possible to be happy during the war, as he was and as is the child in the movie. It is no less an indictment of racism that these two escape its tragic consequences.
I don't speak French, but the subtitles are more than adequate. The dialogue isn't irrelevant, but most of the time the situation is more than clear with no dialogue at all.
All this and the movie, too! Simon, Cohen and Berri have been amply praised by critics with stronger credentials than my own, so I will allow the interviews and the film to speak for me. What higher praise for the acting than this from Berri: "If you have to direct, you've chosen the wrong actor." How better to summarize the film in one line than by the child's question before he meets the old man: "Why doesn't he like Jews if he is nice?" The old man is all that a surrogate grandfather should be: empathetic, loving, comforting, and playful. "I'll teach you myself," he says when the boy is cruelly treated at school, and teach him he does, from an abundant store of misinformation and prejudice, which the boy pumps from him with the impudent certainty that it is all nonsense.
When the village children and their teacher are cruel, it is casual cruelty to a stranger from Paris, not to one of the hated Jews. The war is there, too, with propaganda from the radio, rationing, and overhead bombers, and we are aware, as the child is not, of the devastating consequences should he forget his Catholic prayer, his false name, or the need to dress and bathe in private. Berri, in his interview, says that amidst much suffering, it was possible to be happy during the war, as he was and as is the child in the movie. It is no less an indictment of racism that these two escape its tragic consequences.
I don't speak French, but the subtitles are more than adequate. The dialogue isn't irrelevant, but most of the time the situation is more than clear with no dialogue at all.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Ryan Paulson
This has to be one of the best movies I've ever seen. Hardly any film I've watched before or since has resonated with me as much as this film did.
Story-
During the occupation of France during the big one, a Jewish boy is being far too wild for his parents to control. He doesn't quite grasp the gravity of what Nazism means and rightly so he's just a kid. To protect him, his family sends him to live with their landlords father. The old man who he lives with is very anti-Semitic. They form an incredible bond together and truly show that it doesn't matter who or what you believe its all about human connection. I can't quite put it into words how well the little boy and older man execute their roles is phenomenal.
Presentation-
Criterion gave their excellent treatment to this film. Shown in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1. There is hardly any grain or pixelation to speak of. The clarity of the print is excellent and definition is superb.
Sound-
Everything comes through very clear. There is very little clicks or hiss in the audio track. Excellent.
Extras-
One of Criterion's trademarks there's boatloads. So many I'm not even going to name them all. Some of the highlights however would be some documentaries, a short film, commentaries and the usual booklet that accompanies most Criterion films this time with an essay and some of Berri's(the director) memoirs.
Excellent, superb, lovely.
Story-
During the occupation of France during the big one, a Jewish boy is being far too wild for his parents to control. He doesn't quite grasp the gravity of what Nazism means and rightly so he's just a kid. To protect him, his family sends him to live with their landlords father. The old man who he lives with is very anti-Semitic. They form an incredible bond together and truly show that it doesn't matter who or what you believe its all about human connection. I can't quite put it into words how well the little boy and older man execute their roles is phenomenal.
Presentation-
Criterion gave their excellent treatment to this film. Shown in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1. There is hardly any grain or pixelation to speak of. The clarity of the print is excellent and definition is superb.
Sound-
Everything comes through very clear. There is very little clicks or hiss in the audio track. Excellent.
Extras-
One of Criterion's trademarks there's boatloads. So many I'm not even going to name them all. Some of the highlights however would be some documentaries, a short film, commentaries and the usual booklet that accompanies most Criterion films this time with an essay and some of Berri's(the director) memoirs.
Excellent, superb, lovely.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Controversial
I just love the movie, very meaningful. I showed it to my high school students, the vice principal also saw part of it and said it was "too controversial. Read more
Published 28 days ago by William W. Woolcock
4.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful story of the relationship between an elderly man and a...
In a world where we have become desensitized by the brutality we see on our screens this is refreshingly honest.
Published 2 months ago by Celia Burney
2.0 out of 5 stars
One Telling Too Many
A Parisian Jewish lad is sent to the country during WWII, easily conceals his ethnicity, and returns home at war's end. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Carolyn Paetow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous Old Movie!
It was difficult to locate a DVD of this movie because it is old and relatively obscure. I was able to find it on Amazon's website. Delivery was fast. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Rosie In StL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
A delightful and charming movie. You will not be disappointed. The bonus short film "Le Poulet" is one of our family's favourites.
Published on December 11, 2009 by True North
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet and interesting
The Bottom Line:
An endearing and unmanipulative little film about a French Jewish boy sent to live with a slightly curmudgeonly old Christian man and his wife, The Two... Read more
An endearing and unmanipulative little film about a French Jewish boy sent to live with a slightly curmudgeonly old Christian man and his wife, The Two... Read more
Published on July 26, 2009 by One-Line Film Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, human, joyful film
I can't say enough good things about this film. Just watch it and let it touch your heart...you'll be a better person!
Published on May 9, 2009 by R. Swanson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Touching WWII Story of a Jewish boy and Catholic family
This is a wonderful film. It is in French with Engilsh sub titles. It takes place in German occupied France. Read more
Published on July 17, 2008 by kindred spirit
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks, Criterion, for bringing us this no-longer-rare gem
The guy who played the old man wasn't summoned from a nearby street corner. Revered actor Michel Simon comfortably inhabits the character of Pepe. Read more
Published on May 9, 2008 by M. Derby
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gem
A lovely story, rich with characters that stay with you. Good (important) for the whole family to see.
Published on April 7, 2008 by L. Shinsato
