French New Wave master Jean-Luc Godard continues his fascination with dime store novels and American crime films with 1964's BAND OF OUTSIDERS, a free-spirited romp in the same vein as the director's breakthrough smash, BREATHLESS. More traditional than BREATHLESS in its technical execution, BAND OF OUTSIDERS sparkles with freshness and originality--it uses comical, poetic narration by Godard himself, and has a bouncy musical score by Michel Legrand. The performances from Claude Brasseur, Sami Frey, and especially Anna Karina combine satirical melodrama, overflowing hipness, and moving sincerity, giving the film plenty of heart. An irreplaceable contribution to 1960s film, this movie is much more than a mere genre reworking.
The story follows two friends, Arthur (Claude Brasseur) and Franz (Sami Frey), who are searching for a way to make a big score. When Franz meets the beautiful Odile (Anna Karina) and she informs him of a large chunk of cash her aunt keeps hidden in her house, the duo are convinced that this is their lucky break. Odile is a sensitive young woman who, out of fear and guilt, opposes their plan, but Arthur and Franz coax her to go along with the idea. When the time comes to pull off the heist, a miscalculation delays the seemingly perfect plan, resulting in a confrontation that has dire consequences.
Released theatrically (in France): August 5, 1964.
Shot on location in Paris, France.
The original French title of this film is the inspiration for the name of director Quentin Tarantino's production company.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Mono - English
Additional Release Material:
Interviews - 1. Raoul Coutard - Director of Photography
2. Anna Karina - Star
3. Jean-Luc Godard - Star
Additional Footage - 1. Behind the Scenes
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer (by Jean-Luc Godard)
2. Original Theatrical Trailer (by the Studio)
Text/Galleries:
Glossary (Visual Glossary Detailing Cultural References, Wordplay, etc.)
Source Writer
Dolores Hitchens: Source Writer, BAND OF OUTSIDERS (1964)
Director of Photography
Raoul Coutard: French Director Of Photography/Director
Review 1:
"...The wonderful thing about BAND OF OUTSIDERS is that the daring elements that jazzed audiences then have the same power to intoxicate all these years later..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.14 08/17/2001
Review 2:
"...It upends convention and serious intentions at every turn....It celebrates the filmmaking art as something powered by instinct and resourcefulness as much as talent and vision..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.38 12/07/2001
Review 3:
"...This is Godard at his most playful and ingenious....Wonderfully shot by Raoul Coutard and with an enrapturing score by Michel Legrand..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.58 01/01/2002
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