La Bataille du Rail/Somewhere in Europe [2 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

This double feature presents two WWII-era dramas. From the mind of French director Rene Clement (GERVAISE) comes LE BATAILLE DU RAIL, a tale of heroic struggle by members of the French Resistance. Created during the last years of World War II, this part-documentary feature required bravery and risk-taking just to be made. A moving portrait of the men and women who transported illegal mail, participated in sabotage, and did everything in between in protest of Nazi occupation, LA BATAILLE DU RAIL features cinematography by Henri Alekan, the man behind such classics as ROMAN HOLIDAY. Meanwhile, the groundbreaking and powerful postwar Hungarian film SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE, from director Geza Radvani, captured the painful plight of Hungary's desperate war orphans. Co-written by renowned film theorist Bela Balazs, this bleak film follows a group of young street scavengers who settle into a seemingly abandoned castle and bond with the traumatized conductor who's been living there--only to have their fragile peace destroyed once again by the civilized world.

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: All
• Number of Discs: 2
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Subtitle: Eng
• Features:
  • LaBataille Du Rail
  • Facets Cine-Notes Collectible Booklet
  • Somewhere In Europe
  • Facets Cine-Notes Collectible Booklet

AWARDS

• Cannes Film Festival

•     Won International Grand Prix For Best Director - 1946 (René Clément)
•     Won International Jury Prize - 1946

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Artur Somlay - Pianist Peter Simon
       Jean Daurand
       Tony Laurent
       Miklos Gabor - Hossu
       Jean Clarieux - Lampin
       Jacques Desagneaux - Athos
       Gyorgy Bardi
       Laszlo Horvath
       Laszlo Kemeny
       Endre Harkanyi
       Istvan Rozsos
       Charles Boyer - Narrator
       Fernand Rauzena - Yard Worker

• Director:

  Geza von Radvanyi, René Clément

• Producer:

  René Clément

• Screenwriter:

  Geza von Radvanyi, Béla Balázs, Colette Audry, René Clément

• Cinematographer:

  Barnabas Hegyi, Henri Alékan

• Composer (Music Score):

  Denes Buday, Yves Baudrier

• Editor:

  Geza von Radvanyi, Jacques Desagneaux

• Production Designer:

  Jozsef Pan