Criterion has always been known for releasing some of the finest, and most well preserved films available on DVD. In fact, their name alone pretty much ensures that you've got a quality film, and the best possible print you're likely to find. And if you've ever wanted to get into classic film, but didn't know where to start, they've now made it rather easy for you with their five film "Essential Art House" collection. This set caters almost specifically to film fans who may otherwise be reticent to jump into classic films. They are hand picked to ease you into a world of truly wonderful film that isn't exactly widely discussed in the mainstream.The set includes Jean Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast", Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon", Roman Polanski's "Knife in the Water", William Golding's "Lord of the Flies", Ingmar Bergman's "Wild Strawberries", and Jean Renoir's "The Grand Illusion."
Boy, don't you feel more like a film snob just reading those names? I know I do. But I digress...
My personal choice as to where to start is with Jean Renoir's "Grand Illusion." The synopsis according to TCM is as follows:
Okay, so it's not the most captivating synopsis, but it's a fantastic film nonetheless. It's also usually, unfortunately, left of off most lists of the best war films of all time. Tsk Tsk.
The full set is available, at quite a low price, at Amazon and even more reasonably priced from the Criterion Store. And if you're really on a budget, the films are available separately for about $15 each. Not a bad price to buy you some culture and bona fide film-nerd street cred.
Boy, don't you feel more like a film snob just reading those names? I know I do. But I digress...
My personal choice as to where to start is with Jean Renoir's "Grand Illusion." The synopsis according to TCM is as follows:
"During 1st WW, two French officers are captured. Captain De Boeldieu is an aristocrat while Lieutenant Marechal was a mechanic in civilian life. They meet other prisoners from various backgrounds, as Rosenthal, son of wealthy Jewish bankers. They are separated from Rosenthal before managing to escape. A few months later, they meet again in a fortress commanded by the aristocrat Van Rauffenstein. De Boeldieu strikes up a friendship with him but Marechal and Rosenthal still want to escape..."
Okay, so it's not the most captivating synopsis, but it's a fantastic film nonetheless. It's also usually, unfortunately, left of off most lists of the best war films of all time. Tsk Tsk.
The full set is available, at quite a low price, at Amazon and even more reasonably priced from the Criterion Store. And if you're really on a budget, the films are available separately for about $15 each. Not a bad price to buy you some culture and bona fide film-nerd street cred.
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