Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2767 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-04-26
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 276 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Even though one can view each segment of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colours trilogy on its own, it seems absurd to do so; why buy the trousers instead of the entire suit? Created by Kieslowski and his writing partner Krzysztof Piesiewicz for France's bicentennial, the titles--and the themes of the films--come from the three colours of the French flag representing liberty, equality and fraternity. Blue examines liberation through the eyes of a woman (Juliette Binoche) who loses her husband and son in an auto accident, and solemnly starts anew. White is an ironic comedy about a befuddled Polish husband (Zbigniew Zamachowski) who takes an odd path of revenge against his ex-wife (Julie Delpy). A Swiss model (Irène Jacob) strikes up a friendship with a retired judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant) who eavesdrops on his neighbours in Red. The trilogy is a snapshot of European life at a time of reconstruction after the Cold War, reflected through Kieslowski's moralist view of human nature and illumined by each title's palate colour.

On the DVD: The DVD set has numerous extras spread throughout the three discs; the end result is a superior collection. Each disc has a short retrospective, culled together from new interviews with Kieslowski's crew, plus film critic Geoff Andrew, biographer Annette Insdorf (who also does the commentaries), and fellow Polish director Ageniska Holland. Producer Marin Karmitz also reminisces about the experience. There's an exceptional effort to show the magic of Kieslowski (who died two years after the trilogy) through a discussion of his various career phases, interviews with the three lead actresses, four student films, and archival materials including simple--and wonderful--glimpses of the director at work. Excellent insight is also provided by Dominique Rabourdin's filmed "cinema lessons" with Kieslowski. Without viewing any of his other films, this set illustrates the uniqueness of Kieslowski. --Doug Thomas

DVD Description
Krzysztof Kieslowski's multi award-winning trilogy is a landmark of world cinema. Three Colours: Blue, White and Red have been acclaimed as masterpieces by critics and audiences the world over. The films, co-written by Kieslowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz, with whom he wrote the epic Dekalog cycle, explore the French Revolutionary ideals of freedom, equality and brotherhood and their relevance to the contemporary world. Featuring outstanding music scores by Zbiginiew Preisner and immaculate performances from Juliette Binoche, Irene Jacob and Jean-Louis Trintingnant among others, the trilogy is arguably the foremost achievement by one of the world's greatest directors. This four-disc set brings together all three films along with a wealth of supplementary features, including Krzysztof Wierzbicki's fascinating documentary about Kieslowski, I'm So-So ….

Special Features
Three Colours: Blue

• Krzysztof Kieslowski masterclass
  
• Interviews with Juliette Binoche, editor Jacques Witta and producer Marin Karmitz
  
• Excerpts from the original soundtrack by Zbiginiew Preisner
  
• Theatrical trailer
  
• Running Time: 100 minutes

Three Colours: White

• Krzysztof Kieslowski masterclass
  
• Interviews with Julie Delpy and producer Marin Karmitz
  
• Excerpts from the original soundtrack by Zbiginiew Preisner
  
• Theatrical trailer
  
• Running Time: 88 minutes

Three Colours: Red

• Krzysztof Kieslowski masterclass
  
• Making of … documentary
  
• Cannes featurette
  
• Interviews with Irene Jacob, editor Jacques Witta and producer Marin Karmitz
  
• Excerpts from the original soundtrack by Zbiginiew Preisner
  
• Theatrical trailer
  
• Running Time: 95 minutes

I'm So-So … - 1994 documentary by Krzysztof Wierzbicki

Customer Reviews

ethereal films collection
This trilogy comes highly recommended to anyone who appreciates a thoughtful and moving movie experience.

Some reviewers disregard the movies as 'boring' but are missing the point - you have to be in the mood for them. I enjoy action movies as well, but comparing these to LOTR is ridiculous.

Yes, each story unfolds slowly but all three are extremely rewarding, featuring absolutely stunning performances from three talented French actresses Ms Binoche,Delpy and Jacob.

'Red' was the first I saw as a young man and still moves me to tears.

Sorry, but I didn't really get it
I appreciate this won't be a popular review, but here are my two cents...

I received these films as a present, so I came to them with no preconceptions. I'm a fan of European cinema. I enjoy "arthouse" films and am happy to be challenged. With the cover using words such as "masterpiece", my hopes were high.

Having now watched all three films, I have to say I'm underwhelmed. Yes, there are striking scenes and the film maker's skills are evident. But what about the plot? The first film draws a single, simple theme of loss into a slow, 90 minute presentation of the lead character's pain and suffering. The film retained my interest, but only just. The second film had a much more conventional narrative (even a plot) and I stayed with this and felt my time was well spent. However, the third continued in the same vein as the first, but with an even less engaging storyline, unlikely characters and I'm afraid I was simply bored by the end.

So I tried my best. Perhaps I just didn't get it? Reading some of the reviews here, I might have been missing something. Or is there an element of the "emperor's new clothes" here?

In conclusion, I have to agree with "Pete's" review, which hasn't been well received. But I add my thoughts in a similar vein to perhaps balance some of the more eulogising reviews here.

Superb
These films capture the highest art of directing. Whilst the performances, script and music may all be of the highest quality, the direction - develed into in detail in this package's ample extras - is sublime. More than a simple lesson in how to move a camera, however, these films inspire and astonish. The greatest trilogy ever