The Young Girls Of Rochefort -1967- Criterion -... Official

One of the film’s greatest curiosities is the presence of Gene Kelly. By 1967, Kelly was a god of MGM musicals. His casting was a strategic move by Demy, who wanted to pay homage to Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris. Kelly plays Andy Miller, a frustrated composer who drives a boat-shaped Cadillac.

Critics in 1967 were divided. Some found Kelly’s presence jarring—a slab of American beefsteak in a delicate French soufflé. But viewed today, his role is the film’s thesis statement. Demy isn’t just making a French musical; he is arguing that joy is a universal language. When Kelly dances with Dorléac on a soundstage designed to look like a traveling carnival, the artifice is the point. They are not in Rochefort; they are in the shared dream of cinema.

In an era of cynical reboots and grey superhero blockbusters, The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) feels like a revolutionary act. It insists that beauty is not frivolous, that melody is not escapism, and that a twin sister’s smile is worth capturing in the highest possible definition.

The Criterion Collection has done more than preserve a film; they have preserved a specific frequency of happiness. To watch this restored version is to understand why Jacques Demy is a saint to directors from Damien Chazelle (La La Land owes this film its entire color palette) to Wes Anderson.

So, pour a pastis, turn up the Michel Legrand soundtrack, and prepare to be blinded by the light of Rochefort. You will leave with the "Chanson des Jumelles" stuck in your head for a week. And you won’t mind at all.

Keywords integrated: The Young Girls of Rochefort -1967- Criterion, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Jacques Demy, Michel Legrand, Gene Kelly, French New Wave musical, Criterion Collection restoration.

The text for the Criterion Collection's edition of The Young Girls of Rochefort

(1967) describes the film as an "effervescent confection" and a sparkling homage to the golden age of Hollywood optimism.

Directed by Jacques Demy as a follow-up to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, it features real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac as twins longing for romance and adventure in the seaside town of Rochefort.

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First-time viewers are often thrown by the film’s subplot: a murder mystery involving a traveling salesman and an art dealer. Why, in a candy-colored musical, does Demy include a severed head in a suitcase?

The Criterion edition’s liner notes (a sumptuous booklet featuring essays by critic Imogen Sara Smith) argue that the darkness is the point. The Young Girls of Rochefort is not naivety; it is willful optimism. The twins ignore the police, ignore the sordid reality of the missing man, because to acknowledge it would shatter the dream. Demy is showing that joy is a political act. In a world of murder and loneliness (represented by the cynical cafe owner), the choice to dance is heroic.

No discussion of Rochefort is complete without the elephant in the soundstage: Gene Kelly.

By 1967, Kelly’s star in Hollywood had waned. Demy, an obsessive fan of Singin’ in the Rain, wrote a role specifically for him: Andy, the American composer passing through Rochefort. Kelly, fluent in French, performs his own dubbing and choreographs his own solo number.

Watching Kelly—then 55 years old—tap dance through a French square while wooing a French waitress is surreal and joyful. The Criterion transfer captures the sweat and effort of his dance; you see the master at work, not a digitized ghost. It acts as a bridge between MGM’s golden era and the European art film, a handshake between Hollywood and the Left Bank.

The Young Girls of Rochefort has aged into a curious artifact: a musical about failure that feels like a triumph. Damien Chazelle has cited its color palette for La La Land; Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch owes a debt to its theatricalized streets. But the film’s true heir is perhaps the lonely viewer who, after the final curtain call (and that breathtaking crane shot lifting over the sisters’ departing bus), rewinds to the opening number. Because Rochefort is a film that does not end—it only loops. Like the carnival’s mechanical organ, like the twins’ unanswered letters, like Dorléac’s ghost.

The Young Girls of Rochefort is now streaming on The Criterion Channel and available on Blu-ray (4K restoration). For those who believe the musical is a frivolous genre, Demy leaves his parting shot: “La vie, c’est la vie. Mais la la la vie…” — Life is life. But la la la life… is another story.

Rating (Criterion Edition): ★★★★ ½ (Essential for all musical lovers and French New Wave completists) Final Note: Do not skip the restoration demonstration. Watching the “before” footage—faded, pinkish, flat—is necessary to appreciate the miracle of the “after.”

Jacques Demy’s The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) is a vibrant, jazz-infused tribute to Hollywood musicals, available in a 2K digital restoration from The Criterion Collection

. The film features a famed soundtrack by Michel Legrand, Agnes Varda's documentary The Young Girls Turn 25

, and extensive interviews highlighting its blend of technicolor joy and wistful romantic connections. Explore the full release details at The Criterion Collection The Criterion Collection AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more The Young Girls Turn 25 - The Criterion Channel

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967), directed by Jacques Demy, represents the pinnacle of the French New Wave’s flirtation with the Hollywood musical. While its predecessor, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, was an opera of everyday heartbreak, Rochefort is an explosion of pastel optimism, mathematical symmetry, and jazz-inflected longing. 🎨 The Aesthetic of "Enchanted Realism"

Jacques Demy and production designer Bernard Evein transformed the actual city of Rochefort into a living backlot.

Primary Palette: 40,000 square meters of shutters and facades were repainted in pink, blue, and yellow.

Military vs. Art: The presence of real French sailors provides a rhythmic, masculine contrast to the ethereal dancers.

Fluidity: The camera moves with the logic of a dancer, blurring the line between walking and choreography. 🎶 The Legrand/Demy Collaboration The Young Girls of Rochefort -1967- Criterion -...

The film’s soul lies in Michel Legrand’s score, which bridges the gap between European jazz and Broadway structure.

Lyrical Complexity: Characters sing about mundane missed connections with operatic intensity.

The "Twin" Motif: The central "Chanson des Jumelles" establishes the film's theme of doubling and symmetry.

Hollywood DNA: The inclusion of Gene Kelly serves as a "blessing" from the Golden Age of MGM musicals. 🧩 Geometry of the Missed Connection

The plot functions like a clockwork mechanism where characters constantly orbit one another without meeting.

Missed Encounters: Delphine and Maxence (the soldier/painter) inhabit the same spaces but stay seconds apart.

Mathematical Fate: Demy suggests that love is a matter of being in the right coordinate at the right time.

The Fairground: The traveling carnival acts as the "inciting incident" that disrupts the town’s static geometry. 📀 The Criterion Significance

The Criterion Collection restoration (Spine #717) preserves the film’s specific visual intent.

Technicolor Vibrancy: The digital restoration ensures the "candy-box" colors don't bleed or lose their saturation.

Cultural Context: Supplements highlight the film’s production during the rising tensions of the late 60s, making its joy a radical act.

Legacy: It positions the film not as a "light" musical, but as a complex study of human desire and urban space.

💡 Key Takeaway: The film is a "documentary of a dream," using the rigid structures of music and color to capture the fleeting, chaotic nature of falling in love.

If you’d like to expand this into a formal academic essay, tell me if you'd like to focus on: Feminist readings of the Garnier sisters' independence. The influence of jazz on French cinematic rhythm. A comparison with The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

Jacques Demy's 1967 film The Young Girls of Rochefort Les demoiselles de Rochefort

) is a vibrant, candy-colored tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals, famously starring real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac. Set in the seaside town of Rochefort, the story follows twins Delphine and Solange Garnier—a dance instructor and a music teacher—who dream of escaping their provincial lives for fame and romance in Paris. Criterion Collection edition

of this film features a high-definition digital restoration and extensive supplemental materials that delve into the film's production and legacy. Key Highlights of the Criterion Release Agnès Varda’s The Young Girls Turn 25

A poignant 1993 documentary by Demy’s widow, Agnès Varda, that reunites cast members and locals to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary while reflecting on the production and the tragic loss of Françoise Dorléac shortly after the film's release. Restored Visuals and Audio:

A 2K digital restoration and a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio track that emphasizes Michel Legrand’s iconic, jazzy score. Historical Context:

Includes a 1966 French TV interview with Demy and Legrand, as well as a modern conversation with Demy’s biographer and the film's costume designer. Scholarly Essay: A printed essay by renowned film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum

, providing deep analysis of the film’s "musical logic" and its place in French cinema. Film Significance

Jacques Demy’s 1967 musical masterpiece, The Young Girls of Rochefort Les Demoiselles de Rochefort ), is a centerpiece of the Criterion Collection

. A colorful homage to Hollywood’s Golden Age, the film stars real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac as twins seeking love and adventure in their seaside town. Amazon.com Availability and Features

You can find the film in several formats through the Criterion Collection: Standalone Edition : Available on and Blu-ray, featuring a 2K digital restoration. Essential Jacques Demy Box Set : Included alongside other Demy classics like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg : Periodically available to stream on the Criterion Channel Notable Bonus Content

The Criterion release is packed with supplemental material that dives deep into the film's production and legacy: The Young Girls Turn 25 One of the film’s greatest curiosities is the

: A 1993 documentary by Agnès Varda (Demy's widow) capturing the town’s anniversary celebrations. Behind the Screen : A 1966 episode showing rare behind-the-scenes footage of the production. Archival Interviews

: Discussions with director Jacques Demy, composer Michel Legrand, and costume designer Jacqueline Moreau. Critical Essays

: Includes "The Young Girls of Rochefort: Not the Same Old Song and Dance" by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum. The Criterion Collection Cultural Impact High and Low - The Criterion Collection

Here’s an interesting, slightly offbeat review of The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) as part of the Criterion Collection, written in a voice that balances admiration, cultural critique, and playful irreverence.

Catherine Deneuve (Delphine) and Françoise Dorléac (Solange) are luminous and complementary. Deneuve’s restrained melancholy contrasts with Dorléac’s brighter vivacity, giving the film a central emotional axis. Their chemistry—both sisterly and distinct—grounds the film’s more fanciful elements. Supporting turns (Jacques Perrin, George Chakiris, and Michel Piccoli among them) add charm and poignancy, while Gene Kelly’s role as a worldly American choreographer provides a playful bridge to classic Hollywood musicals.

Watching Jacques Demy’s The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) on a pristine Criterion transfer is like mainlining pure, uncut joy—until you realize the joy is laced with a quiet, devastating ache. This is the film that answers the question: what if Singin’ in the Rain were directed by a French existentialist who secretly loved Hollywood musicals more than Godard hated them?

The Plot (Such as It Is): Twin sisters Delphine (Catherine Deneuve) and Solange (Françoise Dorléac, Deneuve’s real-life sister, in their only film together) teach dance and music in a sleepy port town. They dream of escaping to Paris for love and fame. Meanwhile, a murder has occurred somewhere off-screen, a sailor named Maxence (Jacques Perrin) paints the Ideal Woman he’s never met, and Gene Kelly shows up speaking dubbed French, tap-dancing like he just wandered in from 1952. Everyone is looking for a perfect lover they’ve glimpsed once. No one looks in the right place.

The Criterion Difference: Let’s be honest—this film has lived on murky VHS and sun-faded prints for decades. Criterion’s 4K restoration is a revelation. Michel Legrand’s score (one of the greatest film scores of the 20th century) pops like champagne. The pastel pinks, oranges, and mint-greens of Rochefort’s town square are so vivid you’ll want to lick the screen. Demy built an entire fake town square for this film, and Criterion makes you feel every brushstroke.

Why It’s Weirder (and Better) Than You Remember:

The Criterion Extras You Need: The documentary The Young Girls Turn 25 (1993) is essential—it catches up with the town of Rochefort, which hated the film crew but now throws an annual festival in Demy’s honor. Also, the interview with composer Michel Legrand reveals he wrote the overture overnight. Overnight. While smoking. The man was a machine.

The Verdict: The Young Girls of Rochefort is not a “guilty pleasure.” It’s a pleasure, period. But it’s a melancholy one. Demy understands that life rarely offers the perfect partner you painted in your head—but the search for them, accompanied by Legrand’s waltz, in a pastel town by the sea, might be enough. Criterion’s edition gives this neglected masterpiece the royal treatment it deserves. Watch it when you need to believe that romance is possible, then watch it again when you need to laugh at the impossibility of it all.

Final Thought: If Wes Anderson ever admits to stealing his entire color palette from this film, I owe him nothing. He owes Demy everything.

Rating: ★★★★½ (minus half a star for the unresolved murder, which is charmingly annoying)

The Criterion Collection release of The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) features a key critical piece titled "The Young Girls of Rochefort: Not the Same Old Song and Dance", an essay by renowned critic Jonathan Rosenbaum.

In this piece, Rosenbaum explores the film's "giddy, indefatigable élan" and how it serves as a "tribute to Hollywood optimism" while remaining uniquely French. Key Insights from the Criterion Piece

The "Tragic" Missed Connection: Rosenbaum argues that despite the film's sunny appearance, the split second by which Maxence misses Delphine at the café is "the most tragic single moment in all of Demy’s work".

A "Continuous State of Being": He describes the musical form here not as a story with "musical eruptions," but as a "continuous state of delirious being" where pedestrians might suddenly start dancing around a walking star.

Dialogue with Hollywood: The piece highlights the film as a "love letter to American cinema," specifically noting the presence of Gene Kelly and how the film engages with the idealized France seen in An American in Paris.

Hidden Darkness: The essay touches on how the "pastel paradise" masks underlying themes of yearning, loss, and even a "cheery" axe-murder subplot mentioned casually by the characters. Special Edition Features

The Criterion edition (Spine #717) also includes several visual "pieces" that complement the essay: Learn More - Sounding Cinema

Jacques Demy’s 1967 film The Young Girls of Rochefort is available as a specialized edition from The Criterion Collection, which released it on Blu-ray and DVD on April 11, 2017. This edition features a 2K digital restoration and a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, enhancing the film’s vibrant Technicolor palette and jazzy Michel Legrand score. Special Edition Features

The Criterion release is known for its extensive supplemental content that provides deep context for Demy’s work:

The Young Girls Turn 25: A 1993 documentary by Agnès Varda (Demy’s wife and fellow filmmaker) that revisits the town of Rochefort 25 years later, featuring interviews with cast members and locals.

Archival Interviews: Includes a 1966 French television interview with Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand, along with a 2014 conversation between Demy biographer Jean-Pierre Berthomé and costume designer Jacqueline Moreau.

Behind the Screen: An episode from a 1966 Belgian television series documenting the film's production. Keywords integrated: The Young Girls of Rochefort -1967-

Printed Essay: A booklet containing an essay by renowned film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum, who analyzes the film's unique balance of Hollywood optimism and French melancholy. Availability and Pricing

The film is widely available at several major retailers. Prices vary depending on the format and current promotions: Blu-ray: $28.13 (original price $33.21) at Walmart - DeepDiscount. $29.54 at Best Buy. $39.09 (original price $45.99) at FYE. DVD: $25.46 at CCVideo.com. $28.89 (original price $33.99) at FYE.

The film can also be streamed on The Criterion Channel for subscribers.

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) Criterion Collection, 2 DVDs

Table_title: 6 other versions available Table_content: header: | Actor | Catherine Deneuve , Françoise Dorleac , George Chakiris |

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) - The Criterion Collection

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) is director Jacques Demy’s effervescent masterpiece, a candy-colored tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. Released by The Criterion Collection as spine #717, this high-definition restoration breathes new life into the film’s iconic pastel palette and jazz-infused score, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of French cinema.

The Young Girls of Rochefort (The Criterion Collection ... - Amazon.com Amazon.com

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) | The Criterion Collection The Criterion Collection Criterion's "The Essential Jacques Demy" Roger Ebert The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) - Scene by Green SceneByGreen

The Criterion Collection edition of Jacques Demy's The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

features a variety of supplemental materials and technical upgrades. Special Edition Features

2K Digital Restoration: Features a high-definition transfer with a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

The Young Girls Turn 25: A 1993 documentary by Agnès Varda that revisits the town of Rochefort 25 years after the original production.

Archival Interviews: A 1966 French television interview with director Jacques Demy and composer Michel Legrand discussing the film's music.

Behind the Screen: An episode from a 1966 Belgian television series documenting the making of the film, including behind-the-scenes footage of choreography and sets.

Costume Design Conversation: A 2014 discussion between Demy biographer Jean-Pierre Berthomé and costume designer Jacqueline Moreau.

Jonathan Rosenbaum Essay: A printed essay by the film critic, included in the accompanying booklet.

Original Trailer: The theatrical trailer for the film's restoration. Sounding Cinema - Apple Podcasts