#398: MELVILLE, Jean-Pierre: Les Enfants Terribles (1950)

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MELVILLE, Jean-Pierre (France)
Les Enfants Terribles [1950]
Spine #398
DVD


Writer Jean Cocteau and director Jean-Pierre Melville joined forces for this elegant adaptation of Cocteau's immensely popular, wicked novel about the wholly unholy relationship between a brother and sister, Elisabeth (a remarkable Nicole Stéphane) and Paul (Edouard Dermithe) close themselves off from the world and play an increasingly intense series of mind games with the people who dare enter their lair — until romance and jealousy intrude. Melville's operatic camera movements and Cocteau's perverse, poetic approach to character merge in Les enfants terribles to create one of French cinema's greatest, and most surprising, meetings of the minds.

106 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2007
Director/Writers


Based on the book by Jean Cocteau.
Adapted screenplay by Cocteau.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Thirty-two page booklet featuring essays by Gary Indiana, Stéphane, and Melville.

Commentary

By writer, film critic, and journalist Gilbert Adair.

Interviews

With producer Carole Weisweiller, actors Stéphane and Bernard, and assistant director Claude Pinoteau.
Around Jean Cocteau (2003)

A short video by filmmaker Noël Simsolo discussing Cocteau and Melville’s creative relationship.
Gallery

Of behind-the-scenes stills
Theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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