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Three Colours Trilogy
On the DVD: The DVD set has numerous extras spread throughout the three discs; the end result is a superior collection. Each disc has a short retrospective, culled together from new interviews with Kieslowski's crew, plus film critic Geoff Andrew, biographer Annette Insdorf (who also does the commentaries), and fellow Polish director Ageniska Holland. Producer Marin Karmitz also reminisces about the experience. There's an exceptional effort to show the magic of Kieslowski (who died two years after the trilogy) through a discussion of his various career phases, interviews with the three lead actresses, four student films, and archival materials including simple--and wonderful--glimpses of the director at work. Excellent insight is also provided by Dominique Rabourdin's filmed "cinema lessons" with Kieslowski. Without viewing any of his other films, this set illustrates the uniqueness of Kieslowski. --Doug Thomas
RRP: £39.99
Our Price: £17.80 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Even though one can view each segment of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colours trilogy on its own, it seems absurd to do so; why buy the trousers instead of the entire suit? Created by Kieslowski and his writing partner Krzysztof Piesiewicz for France's bicentennial, the titles--and the themes of the films--come from the three colours of the French flag representing liberty, equality and fraternity. Blue examines liberation through the eyes of a woman (Juliette Binoche) who loses her husband and son in an auto accident, and solemnly starts anew. White is an ironic comedy about a befuddled Polish husband (Zbigniew Zamachowski) who takes an odd path of revenge against his ex-wife (Julie Delpy). A Swiss model (Irène Jacob) strikes up a friendship with a retired judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant) who eavesdrops on his neighbours in Red. The trilogy is a snapshot of European life at a time of reconstruction after the Cold War, reflected through Kieslowski's moralist view of human nature and illumined by each title's palate colour.
Liberty, equality, fraternity
Review date: 2008-10-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
For some, red, white and blue are known as the colours of the American flag. For others, they are also the colours of the French flag.
But they also are the names of the late Krzysztof Kieslowski's brilliant "Three Colours" trilogy. This man hasn't gotten the acclaim of more prominent European directors like Tom Tykwer, but his "Three Colors" trilogy has a delicacy that most directors can only dream of. Beautiful, painful, artfully shot, it's a visual feast for anyone who has an appreciation for beauty, subtlety, and good direction.
In "Blue," Julie de Courcy (Juliette Binoche) and her family are in a car accident when their brakes fail. Julie is injured, but her composer husband and their daughter die. She can't bring herself to commit suicide, but neither can she just go home and get over it. So instead she leaves her palatial house in the country after a night with her husband's old friend Olivier (Benoît Régent), who has been in love with her for years.
Julie arrives in Paris with nothing but a blue cut-glass lampshade, takes back her maiden name, rents an apartment, and tries to leave her old life behind. Though she says she doesn't want love or friends (because they are "traps"), she befriends a promiscuous young woman and is pulled back to Olivier when he starts to finish her husband's unfinished work. In turn, Olivier reveals to her the side of her husband she never knew -- the other woman he loved.
"Blanc" is more of a comedy than a tragedy, but there is an element of sadness as well.Hairdresser Karol Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski) is being coldly divorced by his beautiful wife Dominique (Julie Delpy) because she is sexually dissatisfied with him. She also strips him of his money and possessions, leaving him playing pitiful music at the subways. What's more, she rubs it in his face that she's now having sex with other men.
Things can't get worse, right? Wrong: Karol goes back to Poland and ends up getting beaten up and robbed. Via some not-so-legal methods, Karol builds himself an impressive fortune and becomes determined to get back at his cold, manipulative ex-wife. Amid a web of killing, seduction and faked death, Karol finds the perfect method to bring Dominique down...
And "Rouge" is the color of love. On her way home from a modelling session, Valentine (Irene Jacob) accidently runs over and injures a pregnant dog. The owner is Joseph Kern, (Jean-Louis Trintignant) an embittered, cynical ex-judge whose years of condemnation and acquittal have left him spiritually adrift. He now spends his time alone in his house, wiretapping the phones of his neighbors and predicting what will happen in their lives.
After Valentine expresses disgust at Joseph's activities, he turns himself in to the authorities. Their friendship grows into a bond of differing values and unhappy histories. As Valentine prepares to leave for England, the judge reveals the tragic circumstances of his early life -- a tragedy mirrored by some of the people he has been spying on.
The three colours of the French flag symbolize liberty, equality and fraternity -- and these are echoed in the stories of Kieslowski's films. And each of the three movies has its own "feel" -- "Blue" is cool and sensual, "White" was sharp and sexy, and "Red" has a sweetness and richness that is truly moving.
And while most directors are just boring when they do slow, arty direction, Kieslowski infused his direction with sensual beauty and endless light and colour, like a painting come to life. And he intertwined many symbolic images and lingering threads from one movie to the next, whether it's an old lady recycling bottles or a rather surprising finale for "Red" that brings all three movies' protagonists together.
And he saturated the movies with the colour of their title -- blue is sadness, depth and beauty; white is beautiful and pure, stark and blinding; red is passion and warmth. While this may not have been Kieslowski's intention, the constant presence of these colors (a bridal gown, a swimming pool, and so on) add an extra dimension to the emotions in the story, especially the first.
Juliette Binoche is an extremely good actress, and this movie uses her expressiveness as most movies don't. Zamachowski brings an element of humanity and poignancy to what could have been an idiotic character, and I never felt anything but understanding for this guy. And Irene Jacob brings a sweetness and innocence to her role as Valentine (aptly named, considering the title of the movie she stars in) that is rarely seen in modern movies.
Kieslowski was an unusual and extremely talented moviemaker, and his "Three Colors" trilogy -- "Bleu," "Blanc" and "Rouge" -- is an exceptional piece of work. We shall not see his like again.
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Reviews
ethereal films collection
Review date: 2008-06-07 Rating: 8 out of 10
This trilogy comes highly recommended to anyone who appreciates a thoughtful and moving movie experience.
Some reviewers disregard the movies as 'boring' but are missing the point - you have to be in the mood for them. I enjoy action movies as well, but comparing these to LOTR is ridiculous.
Yes, each story unfolds slowly but all three are extremely rewarding, featuring absolutely stunning performances from three talented French actresses Ms Binoche,Delpy and Jacob.
'Red' was the first I saw as a young man and still moves me to tears.
Sorry, but I didn't really get it
Review date: 2008-03-15 Rating: 6 out of 10
I appreciate this won't be a popular review, but here are my two cents...
I received these films as a present, so I came to them with no preconceptions. I'm a fan of European cinema. I enjoy "arthouse" films and am happy to be challenged. With the cover using words such as "masterpiece", my hopes were high.
Having now watched all three films, I have to say I'm underwhelmed. Yes, there are striking scenes and the film maker's skills are evident. But what about the plot? The first film draws a single, simple theme of loss into a slow, 90 minute presentation of the lead character's pain and suffering. The film retained my interest, but only just. The second film had a much more conventional narrative (even a plot) and I stayed with this and felt my time was well spent. However, the third continued in the same vein as the first, but with an even less engaging storyline, unlikely characters and I'm afraid I was simply bored by the end.
So I tried my best. Perhaps I just didn't get it? Reading some of the reviews here, I might have been missing something. Or is there an element of the "emperor's new clothes" here?
In conclusion, I have to agree with "Pete's" review, which hasn't been well received. But I add my thoughts in a similar vein to perhaps balance some of the more eulogising reviews here.
Superb
Review date: 2007-07-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
These films capture the highest art of directing. Whilst the performances, script and music may all be of the highest quality, the direction - develed into in detail in this package's ample extras - is sublime. More than a simple lesson in how to move a camera, however, these films inspire and astonish. The greatest trilogy ever
a piece of cinematic masterclass
Review date: 2007-01-11 Rating: 10 out of 10
i've just finished watching the trilogy & i have to say i eclipses any other trilogy i've ever watched. it makes lord of the rings look rubbish & is truly a great achievement which keeps you gripped from the start of blue until the end of red. i highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys "thinking" films.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Benoit Regent
Juliette Binoche
Florence Pernel
Irene Jacob
Charlotte Very
Creators:
Juliette Binoche (Primary Contributor)
Benoit Regent (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Artificial Eye
Manufacturer: Artificial Eye
EAN: 5021866275307
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-04-26
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 276 minutes
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Original Language)