The Louvre
by John Sughrue Jr.
List Price:
Our Price: $9.97
You Save: $9.98 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Charles Boyer, Edwin Newman, Lucy JarvisDirector: John Sughrue Jr.
Brand: JARVIS,LUCY
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 57 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-08-02
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Monterey Video
DVD Reviews of The Louvre
DVD Review: I show this to my French I classes every year
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always believed history is taught best when we study a civilization's art rather than making our students study timelines.
This video accomplishes that beautifully, showing major events in French history and tying it to the Louvre and its treasures.
The Louvre has, of course, undergone changes since this video was produced in the late 1970's, so I have a more modern DVD I show my classes as well, but for hitting the highlights of the last 1,000 years of French history, this video is marvelous.
DVD Review: A history lesson
Summary: 4 Stars
I originally ordered this DVD because I wanted to see art. The ONLY reason that there aren't 5 stars is for this reason. There is quite a bit of art, but not just what I was looking for. However, it is a wonderful history of the Louvre itself. The building, the kings & queens and the history was a splendid eye opener. Loved it!DVD Review: Here's why you should buy and watch this
Summary: 4 Stars
Let's just say this upfront, it has nothing to do with the Da Vinci Code so forget about that. It's an NBC News documentary from the '70s, shot on film with professional lighting and voicever by Charles Boyer, mainly about the long and complicated history of the building. It's very, very well done, with high production values - not like a Rick Steves or Samantha Brown traveldoc (not that there's anything wrong with those).
As others have noted, the film stock has not aged as well as one might like, and while the audio is very good, the visual is perhaps a 3.5-4 out of 5. Also, there's a little bit of staging every so often with spectators. The most effective bit is a running feature where a costumed arm adds to and rearranges the wings and corridors of the Louvre to show how it changed over time (and it changed a lot). Boyer has a good script to work with and does a professional job of narration.
It's only an hour long so it catches your attention, gives you useful info, and then you're done. It deals with the Mona Lisa only as one of thousands of works of art, so don't buy this hoping for a documentary on that subject. What it is, is a very professional overview of the joint. Good for people who are planning to go and want to take a peek, and those who have been and want to remember. This is a good gift for an older Francophile.
DVD Review: Very interesting, but not what I'd hoped for
Summary: 3 Stars
This is an interesting and informative film about the history of the Louvre; but it's much more an ode to the building itself than to the treasures contained within.
This award-winning film was made by American Lucy Jarvis and represents the first time anyone was ever allowed to film inside the Louvre. Charles Boyer narrates in English, and tells an engaging story of the Louvre's journey from Fortress to Palace to Museum--and its unique place in the history and heart of Paris. The building changed physically at the hand of each of its regal denizens, and the art collection was purchased, gifted, stolen and scavenged throughout the course of centuries. The narration is illustrated with portraits of key historical figures, as well as drawings, paintings and prints of historical events surrounding the Louvre through the ages. Some of the nicest film footage is of the deserted galleries at night, captured when the crew got locked in the Museum one evening.
Because this DVD was released in August 2005, I assumed it was a brand new program. In fact, THE LOUVRE was filmed in 1977, and, unfortunately, shows its age. I've been spoiled by the sharp, clean, bright, digital quality which makes fine art DVDs such a pleasure to view. Even older titles seem to have been "cleaned up" for their digital debuts in order to take full advantage of the new medium. Sadly, no such restoration appears to have taken place with this title (at least to my untrained eye). The interior scenes have a yellowish cast to them that distorts the colors of the paintings, and infuses THE LOUVRE with a fuzzy, dated feel. In addition, much of the footage is slightly "jumpy," which I found very distracting. One good thing about the film's age is that we get to see some works by Manet, Degas, Cezanne, Van Gogh and others which were moved from the Louvre long ago and are now housed in the Musee d'Orsay.
The DVD "extras" aren't even worth mentioning.
I don't want to come across as too terribly negative. This is still a "must have" for serious art geeks like myself--I just want people to understand what this DVD is, and what it is not. It IS a lovingly-made account of the fascinating history of one of Paris' oldest and most famous buildings; it is NOT a retrospective of the vast art collection housed within its walls. Yes, many paintings and sculptures do appear throughout the film, but they do not often appear to their best advantage. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned about the Louvre's rich history, but disappointed by the secondary role assigned to art history and appreciation.
DVD Review: I DO PLAN TO BUY THIS BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST LOUVRE PICTURE EVER
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen this program on VHS and I say that it is one of the best art videos I have ever seen. It showed me the best pieces of art in the museum and it showed me the history of museum itself. the picture quality, narration, and music are some of the best I have seen. This is great. Once this DVD comes out I plan to buy it on the earliest opportunity I can get.
Description of The Louvre
A guided tour through the Louvre and a presentation of the history of this world-famous French landmark, showing how it became the scene of many world-shaking events since it was built late in the 12th century.Genre: Documentary
Rating: NR
Release Date: 2-AUG-2005
Media Type: DVD
General DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
Valentino: The Last EmperorPEACE ARCH HOME ENTERTAINMENT; Release date: 2009-09-08; DVD
Best price: $13.00
Price in other shops:
The Civil War - A Film by Ken BurnsBURNS,KEN; Release date: 2004-09-28; DVD
Best price: $35.95
Price in other shops:
On the Road with Charles Kuralt, Set 1Acorn; Release date: 2009-10-27; DVD
Best price: $27.10
Price in other shops:
![The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray] Image](/images/The-National-Parks-America-Best-Idea-Blu-ray-B002GWDK6Q-X.jpg){kind=small}
The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-10-06; DVD
Best price: $68.53
Price in other shops:
Monty Python: Almost The TruthUni; Release date: 2009-10-27; DVD
Best price: $18.97
Price in other shops:
The Secret (Extended Edition)The Secret; Release date: 2006-10-01; Published: 2006; DVD
Best price: $7.78
Price in other shops:
The CarterHART SHARP VIDEO; Release date: 2009-11-17; DVD
Best price: $13.85
Price in other shops:
Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best IdeaRelease date: 2009-10-06; DVD
Best price: $60.95
Price in other shops:
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC SeriesWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $26.67
Price in other shops:
Food, Inc.MAGNOLIA PICT HM ENT; Release date: 2009-11-03; DVD
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
The Private Life of Masterpieces CollectionWARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $49.99
Price in other shops:
Paintings in the Louvreby Lawrence Gowing
Stewart, Tabori and Chang; Published: 1994-07-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $33.95
Price in other shops:
The French Revolution (History Channel)A&E HOME ENT.; Release date: 2005-03-29; DVD
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Global Treasures LOUVRE Musee Du Louvre Palais Du Louvre FranceRelease date: 2007-09-07; DVD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
Masterpieces of the Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg (1992)Unknown; Release date: 2000-10-31; DVD
Best price: $2.37
Price in other shops:
VATICAN CITY: Art & GloryRelease date: 2007-09-25; DVD
Best price: $7.42
Price in other shops:
The Pocket Louvreby Claude Mignot
Abbeville Press; Published: 2000-05-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.75
Price in other shops:
The Vatican MuseumsRelease date: 2002-10-01; DVD
Best price: $40.85
Price in other shops:
The Impressionists: The Other French RevolutionA&E; Release date: 2001-08-28; DVD
Best price: $7.97
Price in other shops:
French Impressionism at the Musee D'Orsay - Art and Splendor SeriesUnknown; Release date: 2006-07-06; DVD
Best price: $8.94
Price in other shops: