Just behind Citizen Kane on several critics' All Time Best lists, Marcel Carné's masterpiece is one of the glories of cinema. The bustling world of 19th-century Paris is the setting as four men from different backgrounds - - a mime artist, an actor, a criminal and a count - - compete for the affections of the beautiful Garance. The film celebrates freedom of spirit with passion, so it's remarkable that it was made under the Nazis during wartime occupation. Rumour has it that members of the French Resistance were hidden among the extras.
DVD Extras:
Original theatrical trailer. Although the disc doesn't offer much in the way of additional treats, the print itself is magnificent, with the crisp contrast accentuating light and shadow while silk and satin costumes shimmer on screen. Newly restored after extensive work on the original negative (followed by some digital tinkering), this version premieres on the DVD format.
