The Triplets of Belleville (DVD, 2004)
Product Details
- Release Date: 2004-05-04
- Genre: Comedy
- Artist Name: Michel Robin, Jean-Claude Donda, Monica Vegas, Michele Caucheteux
- Director: Sylvain Chomet
- AMG Rating:
- MPAA Rating: PG13
- Category: Animated
- Cautions: Adult Humor, Watch With Your Kids, Scary Moments, Brief Nudity, Slapstick Violence
- Year: 2003
- Running Time: 82
- Movie Country of Origin: Belgium
- Available Language: French
- Subtitles: Unspecified
Plot
- French filmmaker Sylvain Chomet directs the animated feature The Triplets of Belleville. A young boy is raised by his grandmother, Madame Souza, in the French countryside. She buys him a bicycle and encourages his dream of winning the Tour de France. However, he gets kidnapped by a group of Mafia gangsters and taken to the big city of Belleville, where he is used for his bicycling prowess in an elaborate gambling scheme. Along with her faithful companion Bruno, Madame Souza sets out to rescue her grandson. They befriend a trio of aging musicians who were once the '30s jazz trio known as The Triplets of Belleville. Features an original jazz musical score by Benoît Charest. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Comedy
- Kidnapping, Finding a Way Back Home, Unlikely Heroes, Daring Rescues
- Quirky, Irreverent, Whimsical, Bright, Madcap, Stylized
DVD Features
- cc "Making of The Triplets of Bellville"
- Featurette "The Cartoon According to Director Sylvain Chomet"
- Select scenes with commentary: "Opening Sequence," "Restaurant Performance," and "Tuning the Wheel"
- "Bellville Rendez-Vous" music video
- Theatrical trailer
- 2003--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Benoît Charest-Nominee
- 2003--French Academy of Cinema, Benoît Charest-Winner
- 2003--Chicago Film Critics Association, Benoît Charest-Nominee
Review
- The opening sequence of the The Triplets of Belleville is one of those crude, early black-and-white cartoons that might have played before the feature in a traditional movie palace. It not only sets the surreal tone for the film, it also introduces the wonderfully infectious title song. Inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt, the jazz score (composed by Benoît Charest) is an important element because writer/director Sylvain Chomet has wisely chosen to refrain from using dialogue. Traversing through a non-standard adventure, the endearing main characters communicate through nonverbal behavior. Bruno is a loyal hound dog who barks at trains and occasionally drifts off into bizarre dream sequences. Matronly Madame Souza might walk with a limp, but she's a tough coach and a stickler for precision. Together, the humble team hobbles toward the big city of Belleville in order to rescue their beloved Champion. The city is an ink-washed masterpiece of strange proportions. Huge American tourists line the streets, while the villains are represented by symmetrical blocks of homogenous mobsters. The heroes quickly befriend a trio of elderly experimental musicians who live near a swamp and dine exclusively on frogs. If this all sounds too absurd, remember that the tale is told from the tender perspective of an old lady and her dog. The warm, nostalgic style borrows from the comedy of Jacques Tati and the design of '50s animation. The adventure moves at a slow, gentle pace leading up to a daring car chase and rescue sequence. Accept the ridiculous premise, because the simple joys are completely worth the suspension of disbelief. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
Requirements
DVD Drive or DVD Player
Specifications
Reviews (17)
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5.0 / 5.0
The Triplets of Belleville is one of the finest movie made this year, or one of the greatest animations ever! I hope that this tops nemo at the oscars!
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5.0 / 5.0
Saw it twice, each time marveled at not just the animation but I'd buy the music on dvd.
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5.0 / 5.0
Be careful about to whom you recommend this movie, and how strongly. I raved about it and found that not everyone shared my opinion. I thought 'The Triplets of Belleville' was creative, original, funny and beautiful. The friend accompanying me was similarly enchanted by it. Unlike the recent pixar movies, the human hand was always apparent. When I recommended it to others, perhaps too enthusiastically, their response was considerably cooler. However, as a confirmed buyer of used CDs and DVDs, I liked this film so much, and so look forward to watching it again, that I intend to buy the DVD new, as soon as it comes out.
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5.0 / 5.0
This movie is one of the most unique films you will ever see. The movie is moved primarily by actions and unsaid dialogue (what is said by actions, events, reactions, facial expressions, the atomosphere, etc.). I would not reccomend this movie for anyone under 14, but the animation is unique, surreal, and breathtakingly beautiful. This undoubtedly is the best animated film this year, and one of the best movies.
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5.0 / 5.0
This movie was wonderfully funny and unique. The animation is beautiful but bizzare. I would highly recommend this movie but only if you are the type of person who doesn't mind to watch a movie with virtually no dialogue. The story is wonderful and the music is superb.
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5.0 / 5.0
I was mesmorized by the animation, and the music is great. I'm going to watch it a few times, and wish there was a sequel.
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4.0 / 5.0
As much as I enjoyed this movie, other around me just didn't understand why anyone would watch it. Make sure that if you plan on watching it with others, they enjoy the same thing. I will admit the first time I watched it I had a hard time keeping focused, but after watching again. I have to come to like the movie.
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5.0 / 5.0
this movie is great, the animation is true to life, it made me forget about life for over an hour and just allowed me savor the excellent blend of animation, sound, color, music, artistry, and a beautiful story... Sylvain... TRES BIEN!
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5.0 / 5.0
Way at the top of the best of last year's films. Similar situation to another reviewer, I raved about the film but friends I recommended it to did not like at all.
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5.0 / 5.0
Exceptional animation about a grandmother's desires to help her grandson find his passion with mystery, sabotage, and obstacles along the way! The animation style is similar to original Pink Panther television series. Like Pink Panther there is little verbal banter yet the music and artful animation tell the story fluently!
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5.0 / 5.0
This movie is amazing! We watched it in English Class, and the creator put so much detail into the drawing and events, that I hardly noticed that there was almost no dialouge during the whole film. Simply Amazing!
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5.0 / 5.0
This movie is outstanding. It is also the best movie i ever saw. I saw it for the first time tonight and i thought that it was the most beautiful movie that i ever saw.I loved it.
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5.0 / 5.0
This little gem is a fantasic DVD to get -- the animation and soundtrack can't be beat! No worries if you don't speak French, there isn't much dialogue during the film and what dialogue there is, is in both French and English. The character actions and the plot are the key here. One to pick up if you want something different, funny, eye-opening, and gently suspenseful.
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5.0 / 5.0
This is absolutely my favorite movie. I watch it almost everyday and the picture is so detailed, I noticed something different everytime I watch it. I wish the creator would make more like it because I can't get enough of this movie. I highly recommend it to anyone who's searching for a vividly creative and original movie.
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5.0 / 5.0
"Les Triplets de Belleville" as it is in French, is amazing!!! I've rented it many times, and I'll soon have to buy it I love it so much. The animation is so beautiful, you don't see this animation anywhere! The music is so amazing too! The music is marvelous! The "Cabaret Opening" when the Triplets do the "Belleville-Rendevous" and the "Tour de France" is nice, even though you don't understand a word except: "Dispaire" which means disrepair, and that's the only word I understand. I like it when they're in the club and they do that musical number with the refrigerator, newspaper, and the vacuum. It's a shame that it didn't win an Academy Award, but I do know that it won other awards too. The story is excelent! About a grandmother who is looking after her grandson, and is trying to make his dreams come true. With the square-shouldered mafia henchmen, and that little man who is there leader, all the characters are so real.
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5.0 / 5.0
but what this movie really looks at is the absurdity of life. At first the absurdity is subtle and as this wonderful animation continues the absurdity becomes outrageously silly. Come follow a mothers devotion to her child.This movie is for young adults and adults; but not for young children. the levels of absurdity may confuse younger children. there are also social references which my seem strange to those who may not be aware of 1920 to 1960 values or opinions.As far as I know of there are no other movies quite like this.
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5.0 / 5.0
I am not going to say much about this movie since all the other reviews pretty much cover it. However, this is one of the best movies I have seen to date! Creative and Amazing!