Search - Orpheus on DVD

Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1950 Format: DVD - Black and White Edition: Restored/Remastered,Special Collection Audio Tracks: French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 35 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 21 Genres: Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy

Cinematic poet Jean Cocteau explored the myth of Orpheus on no fewer than three occasions: Le Sang d'Un Poete (Blood of a Poet, 1930), Orphee (Orpheus, 1949) and Le Testament d'Orphee (1960). This second of his "Orpheus" trilogy stars Jean Marais in the title role. Updated to contemporary Paris (albeit a Paris never seen before or since), the story concerns a sensitive young poet named Orpheus, who is married to the lovely Eurydice (Marie Dea). Orpheus' friend Cegeste (Edouard Dermit) is killed in a traffic accident. In the hospital morgue, Cegeste's patroness, The Princess of Death (Maria Casares), revives the young man; then, both Cegeste and Princess pass into the Underworld. Back on earth, Orpheus receives cryptic messages from Cegeste's spirit, as well as nocturnal visitations from the Princess. Meanwhile, Orpheus' wife enters into an affair with Heurtebise (Francois Perier). After seeking advice on her mixed-up love life, Eurydice is herself struck down and killed by the same cyclist who snuffed out Cegeste's life. It appears to Heurtebise that the ghostly Princess has claimed Eurydice so that she, the Princess, can be free to love Orpheus. Heurtebise persuades Orpheus to accompany him into the Underworld in hopes of returning Eurydice to life. By now, however, Orpheus cares little for his wife; he is completely under the Princess' spell. Offered her own liberation from the Underworld by the powers-that-be, the Princess dolefullly agrees to restore Eurydice to life, and to never have anything to do with Orpheus again. Orpheus has weathered much controversy to take its place among the director's most acclaimed works. Originally released at 112 minutes, the film was whittled down to 95 minutes for its American release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jean Marais - Orpheus
Marie Déa - Eurydice
François Perier - Heurtebise
Maria Casarés - The Princess
Juliette Greco - Aglaonice

Released as part of the Orphic Trilogy box set, Jean Cocteau's visually dazzling and trend-setting update of the Orpheus myth deservedly becomes a part of the Criterion Collection. The movie's audio and visual tracks have been superbly digitally remastered, making Nicolas Hayer's sumptuous camera work all the more impressive. (Keep in mind that the movie was made in 1950, before the adoption of widescreen aspect ratios so the picture naturally conforms to the dimensions of standard television sets). The disc also features a new English translation of the subtitles and the good people at Criterion have thoughtfully dealt with them so that they neither obscure the images nor get lost in the screen (which is common in black and white movies). The disc also features a short essay by Cocteau on the movie (there are more DVD extras on the two other discs in the box set). This movie is a must for film libraries and hopefully the Criterion Collection will soon feature Orpheus as a stand-alone disc outside of the Orphic Trilogy box set. Fans of the 1980s rock band The Smiths will recognize the image on the DVD cover (which is taken from a still from the movie) as the cover of the single "This Charming Man." ~ Nick Dedina, All Movie Guide