Bertrand Tavernier passing in 2021, saw the sun set on a remarkable career. He might not have been the name that readily came off the lips of film fans from France or those who like French cinema but he was an elemental force.  Born in Lyon in 1941, as the Vichy government were in control, he loved cinema from an early age. His first foray into film came alongside the legend Jean-Pierre Melville. Whose work and time spent in the resistance, informed Tavernier’s story telling from a visual perspective. Then moved into film journalism. His filmography covers broad genres and was always rich in its journalistic quality. This often balanced a sense of humanity, with a sense of social commentary. Challenging political indifference, with bold strokes of social injustice and the indominable strength of the human.

Studio Canal have now created an essential collection of the directors work, that includes 8 of his films, a tribute and testimony to the spectacular work of the legendary filmmaker. The films on offer have been restored and given 1080p transfers (most from a 4K source). Included here are his film fan best known film, COUP DE TORCHON (1981), award nominees UNE SEMAINE DE VACANCES (1980), his most popular, L.627 (1992) his most powerful documentary film LA GUERRE SANS NOM (1992), a political commentary ÇA COMMENCE AUJOURD’HUI (1999) and his classic drama’s QUE LA FÊTE COMMENCE (1975) and LA PRINCESSE DE MONTPENSIER (2010).  The missed film on the set, is my favourite and I am assured, his most personal film, LAISSEZ-PASSER (2002).

So to the set itself and I have mixed feelings. I loved Studio Canal MELVILLE, GODARD and BUNEUL sets. These are all packed to the brim with great extras and even greater films. TAVERNIER is a very good set. From terms of the film choices, superbly broad in range but good in his actual creative focus. Then the great Guillemette Odicino, her analysis on 3 films is excellent and makes the works more compelling to the viewer (and reviewer) by grounding them in a set of French cinema and TAVERNIER political commentaries (which I didnt see before). Then the transfers, though not 4K versions (that I suspect are to come in later), these 1080p versions have improved the source with little issues (more of that later). However the extras, that include the internal extras, are subdued. Art cards and a good box are ok but maybe allowing Guillemette Odicino to write or translate her work in a booklet, would have been so much more rewarding for the audience that will be buying these sets.

They will pay a bit more for this truly essential set of stunning films from a great director. This is seen in the weakness of extras for most discs bar LA GUERRE SANS NOM, which is the one given the right (neigh respectful) treatment. Interviews, with subs, help us understand the film artists relationship with the work. However we should surely have more on the director and maybe more from film historians or maybe even just a commentary from someone! I understand the films length can prohibit this but Studio Canal please! Then the 1080p colour saturation issues on all films is a problem. It bleeds more in the older films but it was visible throughout. As some one who has been waiting avidly for this however, it is an astonishing set, both worth investing time and money in.

QUE LA FÊTE COMMENCE (1975)

• Analysis of the film with Guillemette Odicino
• Interview with Bertrand Tavernier et Philippe Noiret
• Interview with Jean Rochefort

UNE SEMAINE DE VACANCES (1980)

• Analysis of the film with Guillemette Odicino
• Filming the movie

COUP DE TORCHON (1981)

• Analysis of the film with Guillemette Odicino
• US Trailer
• Trailer
• Alternative Ending
• Interview with Bertrand Tavernier and Philippe Noiret
• Interview with Eddy Mitchell

L.627 (1992)

• Making of
• Deleted Scenes

LA GUERRE SANS NOM (1992)

• Introduction with Bertrand Tavernier and Patrick Rotman
• Analysis of the film with Vincent Martigny

ÇA COMMENCE AUJOURD’HUI (1999)

• Interview with Bertrand Tavernier
• Making of
• Deleted Scenes

LAISSEZ-PASSER (2002)

• Making of
• Deleted Scenes

LA PRINCESSE DE MONTPENSIER (2010)

• Interview with D. Le Fur
• Making of
• Presentation with L. Laurent Weil, M. Thierry and R. Personnaz