The Umbrellas of Cherbourg: Amazon.ca: DVD

Product Description

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Thirty years after its release in 1964, this poignant romantic drama, in which virtually all of the dialogue is sung, was badly in need of restoration. The bright colors had faded and washed out in a haze of pink, and the film stock had badly aged. Fortunately, the movie was properly restored to its original splendor and rereleased to worldwide acclaim. Not only was this French romance a daring musical experiment (because the entire screenplay is a kind of epic song, beautifully scored by Michel Legrand), but it also introduced Catherine Deneuve, who was 20 years old when the film was released and became one of France's all-time screen legends. Deneuve plays a young woman in love with a local auto mechanic named Guy (Nino Castelnuovo) who has been drafted into the army. In his absence she learns that she is pregnant and then marries a rich man who agrees to raise the child. The bittersweet story follows what happens when Guy returns from service. To reveal anything more would be a disservice to anyone who hasn't seen this touchingly heartfelt film. --Jeff Shannon

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Customer Reviews

68 Reviews

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (68 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless..., Jan 21 2005

By A Customer

This review is from: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (DVD)

My 60yrs old mother watched when she was young, and she loved it. I watched when I was 17, of course I loved it. And I bought this DVD this year, when I am 35yrs old, and I still love it. You should buy it. You should have it!!

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful! You'll love it!, Feb 20 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Umbrellas of Cherbourg (VHS Tape)

This could be the most beautiful, unique, romantic movie ever made. Every bit of dialogue is sung (but there are no "musical" numbers), and it's filmed in VIVID pastels, beautifully restored in this print (the film was originally released in 1964, and was the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prize winner). In French, with English subtitles, Letterbox (1.66:1, so it looks fine even on a small TV). Young girl (Catherine Deneuve, radiant in her first film) who works for her mother in an umbrella shop, "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg" - hence the title - and young garage mechanic (Nino Castelnuovo) swear their undying love for one another, he goes off to war, she finds herself pregnant, and she must make some decisions which will forever affect the lives of at least four people. Underneath its beautiful and lighthearted look and feel is a very serious and moving story. The entire word-for-word/song-for-song soundtrack/dialogue is also available on 2 audio CDs - Les Parapluies de Cherbourg - Sony ISBN 7464626782. Directed by Jacques Demy, music by Michel Legrand. Several of the musical themes have entered into the cultural consciousness, and if you've never seen this movie before, when you watch it you may experience a pleasant sense of recognition, i.e., "So that's where that song came from!" You'll love it! END

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5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely film making! Unique!, May 20 2004

By

Mr. Wynn (State of Confusion) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (DVD)

There is no other film like this one! Shot in the early 60s, it is still a favorite among film lovers. It's no wonder that it recently celebrated its 40th anniversary!

Catherine Deneuve plays a young girl who is faced with an important life decision in her tender youth that affects her life and the man she loves who must leave for military service. Nino Castelnuovo plays the young man who returns form war to the news of his love married to another man.

THE most beautiful film ever shot! Beautiful music that will staya with you forever!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, and like no other film I have seen...
Those of you who haven't seen this French musical, where all of the dialogue is sung like an opera, the lead actresses' ensembles match the wallpaper, self-parody is... Read more

Published on May 11 2004 by D. Pawl

5.0 out of 5 stars A great new addition to any DVD collection.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a fantastic film with a deceptively simple story, outrageous colors, and beautiful music (especially the tune "I Will Wait For You" played... Read more