Shoot the Piano Player (1960) 2-Disc DVD Criterion Collection, Spine #315
Tirez sur le pianiste (original French title)
François Truffaut is drunk on the possibilities of cinema in this, his most playful film. Part thriller, part comedy, part tragedy, Shoot the Piano Player relates the adventures of mild-mannered piano player Charlie (Charles Aznavour, in a triumph of hangdog deadpan) as he stumbles into the criminal underworld and a whirlwind love affair. Loaded with gags, guns, clowns, and thugs, this razor-sharp homage to the American gangster film is pure nouvelle vague.
Disc One: The Film
• New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Raoul Coutard
• Audio commentary by film scholars Peter Brunette and Annette Insdorf
• Theatrical trailer
• New and improved English subtitle translation
Disc Two: The Supplements
• Exclusive new video interviews with actors Charles Aznavour and Marie Dubois and director of photography Raoul Coutard
• Rare interview with François Truffaut collaborator Suzanne Schiffman
• Two documentary excerpts featuring Truffaut on the film and the source novel
• The Music of George Delerue, an illustrated audio essay
• Dubois’ screen test
Plus: a 28-page booklet featuring film critic Kent Jones, an interview with Truffaut, and the director on Aznavour and Dubois
Technical Features
• 1960 • 81 minutes • Black & White • Monaural
• In French with optional English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio