French Cinema
The influence of France on the world screen is undeniable. From early inventors and pioneers such as the Lumiere Brothers, George Melies and Alice Guy Blache, the birth of cinema can virtually be traced back to French shores. Cinematic innovators such as Jean Renoir and Michael Carne followed. By the 1960s New Wave directors like Truffaut, Godard and Chabrol had an indelible impact on fledgling American film makers such as Scorsese, Coppola and Bogdanovich who revolutionised the way films were made in the US; studios fell, auteurs ruled. With the advent of television, French film budgets shrank but thanks to government intervention and a good deal of imagination, French cinema is still going strong with contemporary talents like Jean-Jaques Beineix, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Luc Besson and the controversial Gaspar Noe.
At Alice we're very proud of our extensive French collection, covering all genres from French farce to period drama, magical realism to mystery and suspense. Viva la France!
Jean-Paul Belmondo: Vol. 3 ( The Professional / The Outside Man / The Loner / Amazon ) (1972)
7.1/10
Director: Georges Lautner, Jacques Deray, Philippe De Broca
Starring: Arielle Dombasle, Jean Desailly, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Patrick Bouchitey, Robert H...
Belmondo times four. "The Professional" (1981): French secret agent Joss Baumont is sent to Africa to assassinate president Njala. However, at the las... Read more
Jeanne du Barry (2023)
6.7/10
Director: Maiwenn
Starring: Johnny Depp, Maiwenn Le Besco, Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Richard, Robin Renucci,...
Jeanne Vaubernier, a young working-class woman hungry for culture and pleasure, uses her intelligence and allure to climb the rungs of the social ladd... Read more
Jesus Of Montreal (1989)
7.5/10
Director: Denys Arcand
Starring: Catherine Wilkening, Lothaire Bluteau
The marvellous, emotional and humourous story of modern day hypocrisy, as experienced by a group of actors who stage a radical interpretation of the l... Read more
Jet Lag (2002)
6.2/10
Director: Daniele Thompson
Starring: Jean Reno, Juliette Binoche, Sergi Lopez
Engaging French comedy from director Daniele Thompson (writer of "Cousin, Cousine") details the relationship between over-stressed restaurateur Felix... Read more
Jour De Fete (1949)
7.4/10
Director: Jacques Tati
Starring: Jacques Tati, Guy Decomble, Paul Frankeur
Jacques Tati's first feature film, which introduced some of the finest mime and slapstick humour since the days of Chaplin and Keaton. Tati is the vil... Read more
Jour De Fete ( Blu-ray ) (1949)
7.4/10
Director: Jacques Tati
Starring: Guy Decomble, Paul Frankeur
In his enchanting debut feature, Jacques Tati stars as a fussbudget of a postman who is thrown for a loop when a traveling fair comes to his village.... Read more
Joyeux Noel (2005)
7.8/10
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: Diane Kruger, Benno Furmann, Guillaume Canet, Daniel Bruhl, Gary Lewis
This Oscar-nominated film tells the true story of troops whose lives were changed on Christmas Eve of 1914 as they put down their weapons and celebrat... Read more
Judex (DVD & Blu-ray Zone A) (1963)
7.1/10
Director: Georges Franju
Starring: Edith Scob, Sylva Koscina
Favraux, an unscrupulous banker, receives a threatening note, signed by "Judex", demanding that he pay back the people he has swindled. He refuses, an... Read more
Jules and Jim (1962)
7.9/10
Director: Francois Truffaut
Starring: Oskar Werner, Jeanne Moreau, Henri Serre
Francois Truffaut's classic tale of a love triangle which takes place over 20 years, both before and after World War I. Jeanne Moreau stars as Catheri... Read more
Jules and Jim (Blu-Ray) (1962)
7.9/10
Director: Francois Truffaut
Starring: Henri Serre, Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner
Francois Truffaut's classic tale of a love triangle which takes place over 20 years, both before and after World War I. Jeanne Moreau stars as Catheri... Read more