French Jean-Luc Godard DVDs

[Moya]

Guys -
I dunno if this question has been done to death on the board, but has anyone checked out the French DVD editions of Godard's old sixties movies - checking 'em out at Amazon.fr - I've found two editions of Pierrot Le Fou, Le Mepris, Les Carabiniers, Made In USA, Le Petit Soldat.... good stuff.
Straight up, I'm not particularly bothered by the absence of English subtitles - Hell, I never understand what's going on in JLG films anyway - plus who wants to read subtitles when You can look at Anna Karina...
So, question is - how's the quality ? These are all low-budget movies so did they get the transfers right ? Anyone know of english-language reviews for these discs ?

Too many questions....
As always Thanks

[adamvbarker]

I have the Studio Canal Pierrot Le Fou (but haven't watched it yet) - it has english subs: you might as well give yourself a bit of a chance to understand.:)
I think some of them are quite new (Les Carabiniers , Le Petit Soldat ?) So there might not be much about them around. I don't know of anyone reviewing them in english, or french come to that!

Criterions Alphaville is a pretty good disk - but it'll probably cost you more than the french ones.

Various of these are about to come out (or are already out) in the US, at reasonable prices - again don't know about quality. Check out Amazon.com for details.

Sorry to not be much help, I'll post something about Pierrot Le Fou when I've seen it.

ON EDIT: The new US ones are being put out by Fox Lorber, and some of their efforts at previous Godards get scathing reviews for the poor quality of transfer on Amazon, so caveat emptor.

see, for example A Woman Is a Woman (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572523956/qid=1005171451/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_11_7/002-2193667-7292863)

[cervaro]

Are there any other versions of Alphaville out or coming out? Couldn't find anything at Amazon.fr and not really sure if the Criterion edition is worth buying.

[Moya]

OK - Thanks for your help...
I have the Criterion edition of ALPHAVILLE which is fine, and the US edition of MY LIFE TO LIVE - which is a pretty good disk too. I've avoided the Fox Lorber stuff due to bad reviews, and I hear the UK BREATHLESS is worth picking up, so that just leaves the French disks. I've heard some new Godard prints have been doing the rounds in the UK so Tartan should be looking into releasing these soon.
Adam - if You could post a word on the Studio Canal Pierrot Le Fou when you get round to watching it, that would be great - I'm sure it would be more than an interest to just myself....
Cheers mate !

[adamvbarker]

I had a look at the beginning of Studio Canal Pierrot Le Fou and it looks very nice. Anamorphic, it looks crisp and clean, with bright bold colours. Neat, removable subtitles that seem to make sense.

There's a commentary and an intro, but I don't think either of these have english subtitles.

Haven't seen any sign of a french Alphaville . The Criterion version is good, if you can find a cheapish one somewhere. $22.40 here? (http://www.lasersedge.com/title/152)

[tiggers]

Breathless is also being released shortly by Criterion. If it's as good as their other efforts it shold be worth a look. keep an eye on Amazon for prices.