#69: COCTEAU, Jean: Testament of Orpheus (1959)

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COCTEAU, Jean (France)
THE ORPHIC TRILOGY: Testament of Orpheus [1959]
Spine #69
DVD
OOP


In his last film, legendary writer/artist/filmmaker Jean Cocteau portrays an 18th-century poet who travels through time on a quest for divine wisdom. In a mysterious wasteland, he meets several symbolic phantoms that bring about his death and resurrection. With an eclectic cast that includes Pablo Picasso, Jean-Pierre Leáud, Jean Marais and Yul Brynner, Testament of Orpheus (Le Testament de Orphée) brings full circle the journey Cocteau began in The Blood of a Poet, an exploration of the torturous relationship between the artist and his creation.

80 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2000
Director/Writers


Jean Cocteau was 70 when he directed Testament of Orpheus.
Written by Cocteau, with technical assistance from Claude Pinoteau.


The Extras

The Booklet

Six-page wraparound featuring an essay by Cocteau.

Commentary

None.

Villa Santo Sospir

A 16mm color film by Cocteau featuring many of the locations used in Testament of Orpheus.
Collection

Of Cocteau’s writings on the film.
Bibliofilmography

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