Piaf: The Early Years (1974) User Reviews

40 years after

[khuis · 7/10 · 20 February 2014]

After having the honor of meeting Brigitte and Guy about 40 years ago,I Always wondered if I would ever get a chance to see this film.I'v searched through Amazon.com until the other day on Amazon.fr I found a second hand (fairly good condition) Video cassette. My opinion the film could go on a bit longer into the life of Piaf ,since the atmosphere was quite well caught half way the story. Sorry to say that I'v seen a B/W version ,if any colored one available?Brigitte Ariel fits the role of Piaf exactly and the rags she wears are far more believable than any other film production about Edith Piaf.So are the sets.Paris between 1915 and 1950 was picturesque and well shot ,even in the B/W version I could view.

Only the early years.

[dbdumonteil · 21 September 2005]

The English title is the best :it does read "the early years" and it is exactly that."Piaf" ,based on her half-sister Simone Berteau's absorbing book,was not a good film.Guy Casaril's direction -he had made "les novices" starring BB and Annie Girardot three years before- is anything but exciting.Only a small part of the book was transferred to the screen,which leaves the audience asking for more.We are still waiting for the movie which will do the great chanteuse justice.Lelouch's "Edith et Marcel" did not improve that much for that matter.

NB:The song "Non ,je ne regrette rien" which is heard at the end of the movie is actually one of Piaf's final songs (circa 1960),and although it's one of her unquestionable triumphs,it's not a good choice to conclude the movie .