A unique accomplishment.

In 1964 the French director Jacques Demy made a unique movie, a story of star crossed lovers where all the words are sung. Not a single one is spoken. This was not an attempt to compete with the great American musical. After all, how do you compete with perfection? No, rather it was a unique approach to telling a story where the quality of the singing is secondary to the narrative of the story in song. And it succeeds spectacularly. The lush score was written by Michel Legrand who passed away last week. Such were his accomplishments that he garnered three best song Oscars with “The Windmills of Your Mind” in the Thomas Crown Affair being the best known to American audiences.

But it’s the raw visual appeal of the movie, photographed by Jean Rabier, which is a standout. The very high contrast rendition – think Kodak Ektar on steroids – coupled with the bubble gum colored sets makes for a special visual statement. And throw in a very young Catherine Deneuve in what would become her breakout movie, and the no less lovely Anne Vernon as her mother and you have the makings of something very special.

Here is a collection of favorite images from this masterpiece:

You can turn on subtitles but why when you can listen to the glories of French instead?

For the follow up musical of 1967, click here.