The package on offer is an attractive one, but will probably only score with Truffaut fans, or film historians. Tartan DVD have gone out of their way to research and compile an impressive collection of special features, which shows intelligence rather than over-the-top marketing ploys.
There is a short, informative introduction which is handy for anyone coming to the film cold, as it sketches in the historical context of the setting, the situations of actors and director at the time of its making, and some relevant facts concerning its production.
The commentary with Jean-Pierre Azema continues this history lesson in an amiable and fairly interesting way, although it is the rare moments when Gerard Depardieu's booming voice interrupts, to add his own personal anecdotes and observations, that your ears really perk up.
A wonderful interview with Truffaut upon the film's release, when initially it was unsuccessful at the box office, is both illuminating and thought-provoking. He admits that he thought the story was disappointing, but that the film was true in its depiction of life during the Occupation, rather than turning it into a grand scale war drama, which may have been more popular with audiences.
The Hello-esque documentary, with Truffaut shopping for new books and showing off his home, will only be of interest to ardent fans. The scenes from the Cesar Awards are great to have, as it is always fun to see the stars of a film that you have just watched and overall admired, but mostly it's a chance to point and laugh at the huge collars, thick specs and dowdy presentation that was hip in 1981. Billy Crystal would turn in his grave, if we could ever get him into one.
The "unreleased scene" is gratifying, but would add nothing to the film with its inclusion. The highlight, however, is the collection of trailers of Truffaut's greatest hits. Granted, they act as an advert for the other DVDs in the collection, but they are also a fascinating history of trailers in and of themselves, which say as much about the changing perception and place of cinema in society as the films they purport to promote.
A DVD classic, with both quality and quantity, The Last Metro is a must for those in the know.
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