-1967- Criterion -... ^new^ | The Young Girls Of Rochefort
The 1960s marked a golden age for French cinema, giving birth to the avant-garde experimentation of the Nouvelle Vague. Yet, while his contemporaries were dismantling narrative structures on the streets of Paris, Jacques Demy was crafting a different kind of revolution in the coastal town of Rochefort. His 1967 masterpiece, The Young Girls of Rochefort ( Les Demoiselles de Rochefort ), stands as a towering achievement in the history of the movie musical. Through its inclusion in the prestigious Criterion Collection, the film has been preserved as a masterclass in visual design, musical composition, and pure cinematic joy.
Fresh off West Side Story , he brings incredible choreography energy to the role of Étienne.
The on Jacques Demy's career Share public link
The plot of The Young Girls of Rochefort is a delightful exercise in structural irony. The sisters, a ballet instructor (Delphine) and a composer (Solange), dream of leaving their dull lives in Rochefort for Paris. Over one weekend, they encounter artists, sailors, and carnival performers, constantly missing the love of their lives by seconds or inches. The Young Girls of Rochefort -1967- Criterion -...
: A 2014 conversation between Demy's biographer and the film's costume designer, focusing on the iconic "pastel paradise" of the wardrobe. Theatrical Trailer : The original promotional trailer for the film. Printed Essay
The plot weaves together the lives of twin sisters, Solange and Delphine Garnier (played by real-life sisters Françoise Dorléac and Catherine Deneuve). They teach piano and dance, respectively, but dream of finding success and true love in Paris. Around them orbits a kaleidoscope of characters: a charming fairground worker (George Chakiris), an American composer passing through (Gene Kelly), a lovelorn shopkeeper (Michel Piccoli), and a mysterious murderer subplot that adds a jarring, almost Hitchcockian tension to the whimsy.
When you watch the film courtesy of this exceptional edition, you're not just seeing a classic; you're experiencing a world where life sings, where the mundane is made magical, and where the pursuit of happiness is a dance we are all learning. For fans of musicals, French cinema, or simply beautifully crafted art, this Criterion release is absolutely indispensable. The 1960s marked a golden age for French
Michel Legrand’s score is the lifeblood of the film, and the uncompressed monaural audio track delivers it flawlessly. The brass sections blare with clean, punchy resonance, while the intricate vocal harmonies of the ensemble numbers remain perfectly balanced against the instrumentation. Essential Supplemental Features
One of the film’s greatest curiosities is the presence of Gene Kelly. By 1967, Kelly was a god of MGM musicals. His casting was a strategic move by Demy, who wanted to pay homage to Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris . Kelly plays Andy Miller, a frustrated composer who drives a boat-shaped Cadillac.
The film operates on the premise of a "potential utopia", where the daily grind is colored by music and the possibility of love, yet it retains an undercurrent of genuine emotional stakes. 2. A Cast of Stars and Sisters The casting of The Young Girls of Rochefort is legendary. The sisters, a ballet instructor (Delphine) and a
Archival interviews with Jacques Demy and Gene Kelly, discussing the challenge of creating a French musical 1.2.2.
Watching the film today, particularly through Criterion’s meticulous restoration, is a bittersweet experience. It captures the luminous Françoise Dorléac (Catherine Deneuve’s older sister) at the height of her talent and beauty. Tragically, Dorléac died in a car accident shortly after completing the film. Her presence adds a layer of haunting poignancy; every smile and every note she sings feels preserved in amber, a testament to a star extinguished too soon.
The Criterion Collection Blu-ray offers a pristine restoration that brings out the vibrant pinks, yellows, and blues of the town of Rochefort. It is often regarded as a visual feast, crucial for appreciating the detailed, pastel-soaked aesthetic.
The Criterion Collection Blu-ray (release #751) restores the film to its original brilliance, highlighting the incredible work of cinematographer Ghislain Cloquet. Special Features Highlight:
