Claude Chabrol

 Whether fairly or unfairly, Chabrol is invariably referred to as 'The French Hitchcock.'

Claude Chabrol is both student and master of human psychology. In his coolly elegant films, revenge (both justified and misguided), jealousy, grief and even class warfare are jumping off points for richly textured character studies. The "whys" of human behavior are examined without ever striving for pat or simplistic answers; his is not a world of either happily ever after or psycho-babble comforts. It's the complexities (paradoxes, inscrutable impulses, relentless obsessions) and the ways they manifest themselves that interest him. The films of Chabrol - who is, paradoxically, both a huge influence on world cinema and a far too little recognized talent - inspire, challenge and provoke his audience. At their finest, they are pure art. - Ernest Hardy

Listed Chronologically

Biches, Les (Bad Girls) (DVD)    1968
Pathfinder DVD / Region 1 (USA)
 $19.39 Add to Cart
Stephane Audran and Jean-Louis Trintignant star in this classic landmark film. Socialite Frederique encounters young Why in Paris, she seduces her and whisks her off to St.Tropez. When Paul meets Why, he too charms her and comes between the two lovers. Soon all three are involved in a ménage a trois beset by jealousy, madness, and, ultimately, murder.

Letterboxed, 16 x 9 enhanced, French, English & Spanish languages, On/Off subtitles, Audio Commentary by F.X.Feeney (film critic/screenwriter) and Wade Major (film critic) . Biographies . Trailer . 100 minutes

 

THIS MAN MUST DIE (Que La Béte Meure) (DVD)    1969
Pathfinder DVD / Region 1 (USA)
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A hit and run driver kills a child. The child's father, Charles, vows to avenge the death of his beloved son. After a long investigation, a chance meeting puts him in the presence of Paul, a despicable garage owner, who terrorizes his family. When it is discovered that Paul is the murderer of his son, Charles awaits the right moment to face Paul and bring him to justice.

Letterboxed , French, English & Spanish languages . On/Off subtitles . Biographies . Trailer . Still Gallery

 

Rupture, La (The Breach) (DVD)    1970
Pathfinder DVD / Region 1 (USA)
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Helene is a good mother with a checkered past as a stripper and barmaid. After divorcing her husband, her in-laws blame her for causing his addiction and try to seek custody of their grandchild. Thwarted by the courts, they hire a seedy penniless operative, Paul, to destroy her reputation. He moves next door to Helene and begins hatching dark and convoluted plots against her.

Letterboxed . French & Spanish languages, On/Off subtitles, Audio Commentary by Howard Rodman (screenwriter), Terry Curtis Fox (screenwriter) and F.X.Feeney (film critic/screenwriter) . Trailer . Still Gallery . 124 minutes

 

Nada (DVD)    1974
Pathfinder DVD / Region 1 (USA)
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An exciting political thriller from Chabrol. "Nada" is a small, confused band of French terrorists. After kidnapping an American ambassador they quarrel as to the diplomat's fate, while police purge suspects in their attempts to destroy the Nada faction. As the violence escalates, both sides exploit one another's methods and tactics to end the increasingly desperate conflict.

Letterboxed 16x9 enhanced video . French, English & Spanish languages, On/Off subtitles, Biographies . Trailer . Still Gallery

 

Pleasure Party (Une Partie De Plasir) (DVD)    1975
Pathfinder DVD / Region 1 (USA)
 $18.89 Add to Cart
An eroticized study in repressive male egotism. Thoughtful story of an unappealing, 'cultivated', bully who, as he reaches middle-aged impotence, humiliates and grinds down his lover, dictating every aspect of her life and sexual activity.

"Phillipe (Paul Gégauff) and Esther (Daniele Gégauff) live an idyllic life with their daughter, Elise (Clemence Gégauff). In an attempt to preserve this bliss, Phillipe decides that he and Esther should each have affairs, being sure to tell each other openly about them. The plan backfires with tragic results as Phillipe becomes plagued with jealousy."

I am assuming the three Gégauffs were really husband, wife and daughter in real life; an unusual twist. Clemence Gégauff should have kept his charming family together-he was stabbed to death by his second wife in 1983!

Starring Paul Gegauff, Daniele Gegauff, Clemence Gegauff

DVD Special Features include audio commentary, bios, trailers, still gallery, audio interview with Claude Chabrol. French with English subtitles. NR/100 minutes.

 

Masques (DVD)    1987
DVD / Region 1 (USA)
 $19.39 Add to Cart
What lies behind the public faces of people on TV? "Philippe Noiret (Il Postino, 'Round Midnight) delivers a brilliant performance as a TV Game show host turned killer in Claude Chabrol's Masques. Roland Wolf is writing a book on the life of TV personality Christian Legagneur (Noiret) - or is he? He spends a weekend doing research for his project and he meets Legagneur's oddball friends and juvenile charge who suffers from a mysterious ailment. A deadly game of cat and mouse, Masques will keep you guessing from first frame to last."

Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1; Audio: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono); Available subtitles: English

 
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