French label Pathe Distribution will add six titles to its Blu-ray catalog in December: Federico Fellini's legendary
La Dolce Vita (1960), Raymond Bernard's
Les Miserables (1934), Luis Buñuel's
Fever Mounts at El Pao (1959), Rafael E. Portas and Yves Allégret's
The Proud Ones (1953), Francis Veber's
The Toy (1976), and Yves Allégret's
Such a Pretty Little Beach (1949). All six titles will be available for purchase in France on December 4th.
La Dolce Vita
Federico Fellini's epic tale of Roman decadence circa 1960 focuses on the adventures of gossip columnist Marcello as he runs with the jet set. Following him as he interviews a young starlet, rushes a girlfriend to hospital after a suicide attempt, and attends a variety of more-or-less wild parties, it shows how he is both drawn to and repelled by the rich lifestyle that provides his living, and details the crisis in which he finds himself torn between an easy enjoyment of the ephemeral and a desire for a more productive life like that of his intellectual friend. The film features a host of famous scenes, including Anita Ekberg's dance in the Trevi fountain, the statue of Christ lifted by helicopter over the city, and the exhausted striptease of the final moments, as well as early performances from Anouk Aimee and future Velvet Underground singer Nico. Starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimée, Magali Noël, Yvonne Furneaux, Ida Galli, and Alain Cuny.
Les Miserables
Widely considered the greatest screen adaptation of Victor Hugo's beloved novel, Raymond Bernard's dazzling, nearly five-hour
Les Miserables is a breathtaking tour de force, unfolding with the depth and detail of its source. Featuring stunning art direction and cinematography and unforgettable performances as the exquisite Harry Baur, as Jean Valjean, and the legendary Charles Vanel, as Inspector Javert,
Les Miserables is one of the triumphs of French filmmaking. Starring Harry Baur, Charles Vanel, Paul Azaïs, Max Dearly, Charles Dullin, and Émile Genevois.
La Fièvre monte a el pao a.k.a Fever Mounts at El Pao
Based on Henri Castillou's novel and directed by the great Luis Bunuel. A portrait of a South American patriot who is transformed into a wicked man after winning total power over a small nation. Starring Gérard Philipe, María Félix, Jean Servais, and Miguel Ángel Ferriz.
Les Orgueilleux a.k.a The Proud Ones
After her husband dies in a meningitis outbreak, a French tourist on vacation in Mexico meets a temperamental drunk with a dark secret. Soon after, the two fall madly in love. Starring Michèle Morgan, Gérard Philipe, and Carlos López Moctezuma.
Une si jolie petite plage a.k.a Such a Pretty Little Beach
Pierre escapes to a coastal village in Northern France after accidentally killing a famous singer. There, the grotesque pettiness of the local townsfolk, the duplicity of friends and loved ones, and the relentlessly rotten weather drive him to the verge of a serious nervous breakdown. This classic French noir film was lensed by the legendary Henri Alekan (Jean Cocteau's
Beauty and the Beast). Starring Gérard Philipe, Madeleine Robinson, Jean Servais,
André Valmy, and Jane Marken.
Le Jouet a.k.a The Toy
A journalist is forced to accept all the extravagant caprices of his boss' son. He becomes his "toy". But with a lot of hard work he will manage to change his mentality. Starring Pierre Richard, Michel Bouquet, Fabrice Greco, and Michel Aumont.