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From Amazon.co.uk
By getting nominated for Academy Awards in both the Foreign Language Film and Best Song categories, Les Choristes (The Chorus) made a rare (for a European film) double impression at the 2004 Oscars. This sentimental tale follows the arrival of a new teacher at a remote boys school in 1949 France (the war is a largely unspoken but ghostly presence). With disciplinary problems rampant, and the policies of the old-fashioned headmaster not helping, Monsieur Mathieu decides to introduce choral singing as a way to bridge the gap with his students. You don't need a crystal ball to figure out where this will go, although the movie uses its atmospheric location and lush vocal arrangements well. Bald, dumpy Gerard Jugnot provides a refreshingly offbeat hero: he's sort of a younger Philippe Noiret. Director Christophe Barratier works in the winsome-cute mode that makes a certain kind of French movie into an overly sweet bon bon, although at least this bon bon sings. --Robert Horton, Amazon.com
Product Description
French drama inspired by the 1947 film 'La Cage aux Rossignols'. Successful orchestra conductor Pierre Morhange (Jacques Perrin) returns home when his mother dies. He recollects his childhood inspirations through the pages of a diary kept by his old music teacher Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot). Back in the late '40s, little Pierre (Jean-Baptiste Maunier) is the badly behaved son of single mother Violette (Marie Bunel). He attends a dreary boarding school presided over by strict headmaster Rachin (François Berléand). New teacher Mathieu brightens up the place and organises a choir, leading to the discovery of Pierre's musical talents.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
91 of 91 people found the following review helpful
By Katie
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful film. Its moving, slightly sad, and heart-warming. I watched it first at school with my GCSE standards French, in French, with French subtitles. Although I didn't understand all the details, I still enjoyed it immensely, and however you watch it, it is amazing. I had the song "Les Choristes" in my head for days.
The film begins in the future, and then is mostly a flashback. A new teacher arrives at Fond D'Etang, a school for difficult boys, to teach music, and immediately discovers the harsh discipline and the bad behaviour which forced the man he is replacing to retire. His unusual methods soon warm the boys to him, and he achieves a lot. There is some wonderful music, especially the soloist, Pierre. Pepinot, a very young boy, is adorable, and he partly gives the film its touching ending.
Whatever standard your French is, even if you watch it in English; whether you like this sort of music or not, you cannot fail to love this film. It's hard for me to put my finger on what exactly makes it appeal so much to me, but the characters are probably its best feature. They are well developed, lovable (or hatable, in the headmaster's case) and they make the film stick in your mind. Make sure you give this a try!
The film begins in the future, and then is mostly a flashback. A new teacher arrives at Fond D'Etang, a school for difficult boys, to teach music, and immediately discovers the harsh discipline and the bad behaviour which forced the man he is replacing to retire. His unusual methods soon warm the boys to him, and he achieves a lot. There is some wonderful music, especially the soloist, Pierre. Pepinot, a very young boy, is adorable, and he partly gives the film its touching ending.
Whatever standard your French is, even if you watch it in English; whether you like this sort of music or not, you cannot fail to love this film. It's hard for me to put my finger on what exactly makes it appeal so much to me, but the characters are probably its best feature. They are well developed, lovable (or hatable, in the headmaster's case) and they make the film stick in your mind. Make sure you give this a try!
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Rosanne
Format:DVD
Beautiful film. The cinematography, script and characterizations are just perfect, and the plot moves along nicely. A good, harmless film.
Don't be put off by the subtitles, the characters and plot make you forget you have to read them, even if French is not your first language.
I loved every moment of this, and watched it twice two days running. Gorgeous.
Don't be put off by the subtitles, the characters and plot make you forget you have to read them, even if French is not your first language.
I loved every moment of this, and watched it twice two days running. Gorgeous.
49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's easy enough to dismiss this French tale of a failed schoolteacher reforming both the pupils and staff of a boarding school for difficult boys by starting a choir as Monsieur Holland's Opus, Au Revoir Monsieur Pommes Frittes or even Societe des Poets Mort (although it is a remake of a 1945 film La Cage aux Rossingols that predates most of them), but it's done so well that it's impossible not to be won over by it. Sentimental? Sure, but its honest sentiment that doesn't overdose on artificial sweeteners. Gerard Jugnot beautifully underplays the lead, although all the cast are impressive, but the real star of the film is Bruno Coulais and Christophe Barratier's music, avoiding the dirges for some genuinely beautiful and affecting pieces that give the film wings. It's probably the kind of film its easy for some to dislike sight unseen as typical 'export cinema' (not only does it share its framing-device structure with Cinema Paradiso, but actor-producer Jacques Perrin even plays the role of the conductor returning to his hometown for a funeral!), but it's all done so very well that it's nigh-on impossible not to be won over.
The DVD offers a good 2.35:1 widescreen transfer, trailer and a good 72-minute documentary. Highly recommended.
The DVD offers a good 2.35:1 widescreen transfer, trailer and a good 72-minute documentary. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Chorus.
A very moving and enjoyable DVD well worth watching and is one that you can watch more than once. The film was very well done.
Published 23 days ago by Tiger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Humbling and wonderful
Don't you just love French movies? This is the most lovely story of a really wonderful teacher, I think all teachers should watch this. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Seklof
5.0 out of 5 stars
OMG - what a great story this is
For a "foreign language" movie, this is perhaps one of the best movies I have seen in a long time - actually, I have seen it about 6 times already! Read more
Published 1 month ago by V. Munbodh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
a must see!
a film for the family.
loved the music and the children.
made us cry and laugh.
highly recommendet
a film for the family.
loved the music and the children.
made us cry and laugh.
highly recommendet
Published 2 months ago by Stefan Goeser
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic!
This is one of the best French films I've even seen. It's also a great film to show in a French class at school. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Helene
5.0 out of 5 stars
The chorus
This film is a must for any generation. A touching, moving ,emotional storyline. I would highly recommend this film for all ages as it has a good story that will keep you... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. C. A. Hayne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent film
Gave as present to children and grandchildren. The joy of teaching and evolving rather than discipline.
Well worth watching. See it.
Well worth watching. See it.
Published 4 months ago by counseling
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful movie
This is a beautiful movie have watched it 3 times and would happily watch it again ,even my teenagers loved it!
Published 4 months ago by kay kelleher
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE CHORUS
brilliant, what a Joy,brought tears to my eyes.I m sure I ll watch it many times the songs are memorable especially O Nuit
Published 4 months ago by Alison Graham
3.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended by my music coach
We sang one of the songs from this film in our latest concert and it was lovely. Not knowing the history, this was recommended and is a heartwarming story with a happy ending -... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ms. S. Worthington
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