Breathless (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

This Criterion Collection edition of Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 film, “Breathless,” beautifully restores the classic work from the French New Wave for optimal Blu-ray quality. The film follows a story by François Truffaut and focuses on Michel (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a young criminal who emulates Humphrey Bogart’s characters. He kills a policeman and goes on the run, turning to his American love interest, Patricia (Jean Seberg), for a place to hide and a loan to escape to Italy. Eventually, Patricia betrays Michel to the police, who kill him when he tries to flee. Michel’s final lines of dialogue tie into the themes of nihilism and ambiguity that pervade the film.Bonus features included with this Criterion edition include archival interviews with Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, and Jean-Pierre Melville; interviews from 2007; two video essays; and 80-minute French documentary about the making of “Breathless”; a 1959 short film from Godard featuring Belmondo titled “Charlotte et son Jules”; and the film trailer. It also includes a booklet with essays by a scholar and Godard, Truffaut’s original treatment, and Godard’s scenario. Godard’s “Breathless” is the perfect film for the Criterion Collection. It’s a movie-lovers movie and all the bonus features make this a great edition for those looking to learn more about film.

Let's be real here. This movie is weird. And, well, it's really kind of stupid. I didn't even mean to buy it. I was searching for old Yul Brynner movies and I have no idea how this ended up on my list. I think I just clicked on the wrong pic while I was dumping a dozen movies into my shopping cart, and this slipped through during a bulk purchase. But since I bought it, and since me and the wifey like to sit up and watch a movie now and then, we watched this. It is, in fact, so stupid that it fools you into believing that there is some kind of a deeper message. If there is, I'm too stupid to grasp it. But it does lead you on a lot of twists and turns, and I was continually surprised that I couldn't predict the next stupid and random thought or idea that either of the two main characters were having. In fact, this might be the only movie I've ever bought that I actually threw away after watching. But admittedly, it was kind of entertaining to see the type of content that people during that time were actually entertained by. Humankind seems just as whacked then as it does now, which artificially gives me hope that we may be no-more-whacked in the future than we are now. That might be the only, falsely redeeming aspect of this film. You will probably hate yourself for buying this after you watch it. But then, you might hate yourself anyway, so you'd be no worse off?

This first film directed by Jean-Luc Godard is truly a classic.The two principal actors,Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg fit perfectly in their parts.The cinematography and the editing were innovative for that time.

Godard's funniest, most erotic movie. Belmondo and Seberg are fantastic.

My introduction to Godard. Thrilled.

A two-disc set that is beautifully packaged. A film lover's treat!

Raw, exciting storytelling ( in B&W ) stripped down to the basics.An excellent example of French New Wave cinema that helped revolutionize how the world looked at film.In French with English subtitles.

One of the few Criterion Blu-Rays, where I could tell no measurable difference between it and the already existing DVD. A bit disappointing.

wow what a box set -amazing movie -especially for the time -1959 -i love jean seberg -amazing actress -the music is awsome -great to get a vinyl of the movie -the bluray is an amazing clear transfer of a movie made 61 years ago -fantastic poster -a great amazon collectible -if your a fan -dont hesitate -buy now you wont be sorry

As usual Criterion's standards are extremely high with a lovely looking transfer. I actually prefer Studiocanal's treatment of the video and audio especially as there are numerous subtitle choices, whereas the Criterion edition has only optional English subtitles. Where Criterion win out is the huge amount of special features and extras included in this release, worth buying for these reasons alone ( which I did).

Excelente

Classic and very important film and a great Blu-ray/DVD combo from the Criterion collection. Superb transfer (do you expect less from Criterion) and an uncompressed soundtrack. Loaded with tonnes of extras. If you are a true cinephile then this film must be in your collection.

Muy buena esta película