| Au Revoir Les Enfants - Criterion Collection | 
 enlarge | Director: Louis Malle
Actors: Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtoe, Francine Racette, Stanislas Carre De Malberg, Philippe Morier-genoud
Studio: Criterion
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $19.49
You Save: $10.46 (35%)
New (28) Used (6) from $18.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  40 reviews
Sales Rank: 34153
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), German (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 104
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: IMEDAUR020D
UPC: 037429207123
EAN: 0037429207123
ASIN: B0009HLCS8
Theatrical Release Date: December 1987
Release Date: March 28, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 03/28/2006
Amazon.com
The long shadow of Malle's autobiographical memoir of occupied France continues to fall heavily across subsequent representations of World War II, boarding school, and male adolescence--in fact, it would be difficult to identify a recent film that addresses these concerns and does not, in some substantial way, echo Au Revoir Les Enfants. The straightforward, unsentimental, gutsy Enfants finds its 12-year-old protagonist, Julien Quentin, sheltered from the conflict in a Catholic school. His classmate Jean, a new arrival, becomes first a competitor, then a beloved friend. Jean, however, hides a secret from his classmates and the Gestapo; evenly, subtly, Malle creates an atmosphere of hovering and inescapable danger. It won't take you more than a few frames to guess Jean's "secret," and many of the plot points here are too telescoped. Nevertheless, the plainspoken courage with which Malle tells his story remains wholly engrossing. The cinematography here is masterful and drunk with childlike wonder, alternating claustrophobic, wood-paneled church interiors with vivid, occasionally frightening outdoor vistas. And never is it more affecting than in the chilling scene where Justin gets lost in the woods during a seemingly innocent game of capture-the-treasure; trees and rocks flash by the running boy with an austere, impersonal beauty. Winner of seven Cesars (the French Oscars) in 1987, including Best Picture. It's in French, with subtitles; but don't let that scare you away. --Miles Bethany
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| Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...
Hello again, Au Revoir October 23, 2008
This tragic coming-of-age tale (filmed in French) is an all-time classic that took forever to make it to DVD because of a longstanding family squabble. Unlike the seemingly ancient VHS version (only 20 years old, but film decomp makes it look like WWII newsreel footage), the digital transfer solves sound and visual problems -- especially the subtitles, which were annoying oversized in the original. As for the plot -- it's long, like the movie, but in a nutshell: Jewish boy goes to German school pretending to be non-Jew during WWII in order to save his life. He forms a friendship with a non-Jewish boy at the school, and...that's all I'll say, as giving anymore away will rob you of a great movie viewing experience. If you can find it solo, buy it. If not, there's a boxed four pack of Louis Malle films that includes this one. Pricey, but the other three items(Murmur of the Heart, Lucien Lacombe, and an filmmaker's interview disk) are bonus fare. This one's worth the $80 price by itself.
Wonderful film May 11, 2008
This is a sensitively told story about friendship and war. The story is told through the eyes of 12 year old Julien, and takes place in France during 1944. The cinematography creates a cold, harsh world that reflects the attitudes of many of the adults in the film. Although the film deals with war, it also shows us the simple pleasures in the everyday lives of the boys.
Au Revoir Les Enfants December 29, 2007
Goodbye, Children (Au revoir, les enfants) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]
A great movie. Moving film about friendship. I can see why it won a gold award in Europe. The acting is excellent, and the movie is well worth buying. If you speak French, it's even more enjoyable. Super movie, and I highly recommended it.
Lost Innocence October 31, 2007
I had heard the "Au Revoir les Enfants" was an exceptional film and I had a pretty good idea what it was about. I watched it the other night and must admit that it IS an exceptional movie. At first I figured that it might be just another over-rated French movie as I watched a well-done production of the standard boy's school hyjinks. However, the characters were more substanitive that usual (even for a group of pre-teens nearing puberty) and the setting of France during WWII added a lot to the dramatic effect.
You could guess what was coming but I kept getting more and more impressed by the depth of the story, supporting cast, and the way Malle let us see Occupied France. We see the collaborators, the anti-semites (somewhat redundant), the ones who buried their heads in the sand, and those brave enough to risk their lives for others. The ending is not action-filled nor overly dramatic. The ending evolves from a series of events that seem to happen too fast and then it is over. A narrator from the future puts it all into perspective as we realize we have glimpsed a scene of horror that happened too easily. Malle has given us an excellent movie and he has given his fellow French an uncomfortable (for many) look at their recent past.
a beautiful and moving drama....... September 13, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I couldn't review SCHINDLER'S LIST, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL and THE GREAT DICTATOR (films related to some of the darkest saddest times in humanity, during Nazi rule) and pass up AU REVOIR, LES ENFANTS (GOODBYE, CHILDREN). This is, in my opinion, one of the finest films made by the late, great Louis Malle. It is a semi-autobiographical account of a young boy living a sheltered life in a Catholic school and the chance encounter he has with his classmate, who is first a rival and then becomes a beloved friend. This friend is concealing a secret during a time when the Nazis were cracking down on and removing Jews from schools, among other places. I don't need to say too much for you to know the gist of the plot, the pressures that the young protagonists face and the brutal reality of life that hits them smack between the eyes. This film sensitively and honestly depicts their plight, during a very dark point in history. AU REVOIR, LES ENFANTS is truly poetry for the eyes, and you will never be the same after viewing it.
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