The plot of Band of Outsiders involves two bored young Parisians (Sami Frey and Claude Brasseur) who hook up with a lovely gamine (Anna Karina) to commit a robbery: but pay that no mind. The final credit before the film starts--which reads “JEANLUC CINEMA GODARD”--is the real clue to deconstructing this 1964 French New Wave classic. Rather than planning their crime, our heroes wander Paris having self-reflexive moments: they interact with the camera, stop the action for a minute of silence, break into a choreographed dance number, and attempt to shatter the world record for fastest tour of the Louvre. All the while, a voiceover, performed (naturally) by Godard, reinforces, poeticizes and undermines all of the action onscreen. This characteristically topnotch Criterion DVD encourages an advanced understanding of Godard's process of pastiche by including a visual glossary of references and allusions within the film (some of the nods to Rimbaud, Kafka, Jack London, T.S. Eliot, and American B-thrillers are readily evident; less so are Godard's salutes to New Wave comrades such as Jacques Demy and Francois Truffaut, as well as his mocking of contemporary French advertisements). Other extras on this loaded disc include new interviews with Karina and cinematographer Raoul Coutard, an old interview with Godard, and a short film by Agnes Varda. Highly recommended. (D. Fienberg)[Blu-ray Review—May 21, 2013—Criterion, 95 min., not rated, $39.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1964's Band of Outsiders sports a great transfer and an uncompressed mono soundtrack. Extras include 2002 interviews with star Anna Karina (19 min.) and cinematographer Raoul Coutard (11 min.), a visual glossary of references and quotes found in the film (18 min.), excerpts from a 1964 French TV documentary featuring director Jean-Luc Godard (5 min.), filmmaker Agnès Varda's 1961 silent short “Les fiancés du pont Mac Donald,” featuring Godard, Karina, and other cast members (3 min.), trailers, and a booklet with an essay by poet and critic Joshua Clover, character descriptions, and a 1964 interview with Godard. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for this seminal Godard film.]
Band of Outsiders
Home Vision, 95 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95 March 24, 2003
Band of Outsiders
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