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Fans of Jean Renoir will rush to see something ‘new’ from the great director; this very different Renoir picture sees him filming in the South of France, among regional laborers that bring their Italian and Spanish customs with them. It’s a tragedy about a crime of passion, all shot outside of a film studio, without big stars or glamorous trappings.

Toni

Blu-ray

The Criterion Collection 1040

1935 / B&w / 1:37 flat Academy / 84 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date August 25, 2020 / 39.95

Starring: Charles Blavette, Celia Montalvan, Édouard Delmont, Max Dalban, Jenny Hélia, Michel Kovachevitch, Andrex.

Cinematography: Claude Renoir

Film Editors: Suzanne de Troeye, Marguerite Renoir

Original Music: Paul Bozzi

Written by Jean Renoir from material by Jacques Levert

Produced by Marcel Pagnol

Directed by Jean Renoir

We’re told that in 1933 Jean Renoir was stinging from some pictures that didn’t go over well with the public, including the classic comedy-drama Boudou Saved from Drowning.

No longer out of reach, Marcel Pagnol’s stunning 3-feature saga of love and honor in a French seaport is one of the great movie experiences — and the most emotional workout this viewer has seen in years. The tradition of greatness in the French sound cinema began with gems like these, starring legendary actors that were sometimes billed only with their last names: Raimu, Charpin. Those two, Pierre Fresnay and Orane Demazis are simply unforgettable — it’s 6.5 hours of dramatic wonderment.

Marcel Pagnol’s The Marseille Trilogy

Marius * Fanny * César

Blu-ray

The Criterion Collection 881-884

1931 – 1936 / B&W / 1:19 flat full frame, 1:19 flat full frame, 1:37 flat full frame / 127 * 127 * 141 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date June 20, 2017 / 79.96

Starring: Raimu, Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis, Fernand Charpin, Alida Rouffe, Paul Dullac, Robert Vattier, André Fouché.

Cinematography: Ted Pahle, Nicolas Toporkoff, Willy Faktorovitch

Original Music: ?, Vincent Scotto, Vincent Scotto

Written by Marcel Pagnol

Produced by Ted Pahle,...

If you’ve been reading the site or follow Steve and/or me on Twitter, then you know we both kind of loved the hell out of Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. I’ve seen the movie twice now and can’t wait to go back for thirds. I’ll most likely be making that third viewing at Friday at 12:01am at one of the film’s many North American midnight showings. Wright has posted a list of the theaters with showing the flick at midnight and we’ve included that list after the jump.

I usually don’t care about box office, but it does affect what kinds of movies get made and the number of projects offered to those involved with a film that has a strong opening weekend. Scott Pilgrim is an explosion of originality and deserves to be rewarded with your coins.