British Universities Film & Video Council

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Silence de la Mer, La

Synopsis
The debut film of Jean-Pierre Melville, Le SILENCE DE LA MER is a landmark in French films about World War II, made shortly after Melville himself was demobilised from the Resistance and based on the novella by Jean Bruller, writing under the pen name of Vercors. The film, which was partly shot in Vercors’ own house, is set in occupied France and tells the story of a German officer billeted to the house of an elderly man and his niece who defy their guest by remaining mute while he spends his evenings holding forth about the benefits that will arise from the union between France and Germany. The officer comes to realise the naivety of his beliefs after a visit to Paris which reveals all too clearly what is really happening.

Dual format DVD/Blu-Ray. The Masters of Cinema release includes a video discussion by Ginette Vincendeau, Professor of French cinema at King s College London; MELVILLE OUT OF THE SHADOWS, a new French-made documentary about the film (Blu-ray only) and a 56 page booklet including an article by Ginette Vincendeau and an interview with Melville by scholar Rui Nogueira.
Series
Masters of Cinema
Language
French (Standard)
Country
France
Year of release
1949
Subjects
Film studies; History
Keywords
France; French Resistance; World War II; French collaboration

Credits

Director
Jean-Pierre Melville
Cast
Howard Vernon 
Jean-Marie Robain 
Nicole Stéphane 

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL, Blu-Ray DVD
Price
£19.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
84 minutes
Year
2012

Distributor

Name

Eureka Entertainment

Email
info@eurekavideo.co.uk
Web
http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/ External site opens in new window
Phone
020 8459 8054
Fax
020 8459 5162
Address
Unit 9, Ironbridge Close
Great Central Way
London
NW10 OUF
Notes
An independent distributor specialising in releasing classic and early/silent films on DVD, including the Masters of Cinema curated collection of classic and world cinema. Sale via retail outlets.

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