The Criterion Collection edition of Jacques Demy’s The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) is available as a standalone Blu-ray/DVD or as part of "The Essential Jacques Demy" box set. This release features 2K digital restoration
and a comprehensive suite of historical and retrospective supplements The Criterion Collection Criterion Special Features
The following supplements are included in the Criterion edition: The Young Girls Turn 25
: A feature-length 1993 documentary by Agnès Varda (Demy’s widow). It revisits the town of Rochefort for the film's 25th anniversary, featuring interviews with stars like Catherine Deneuve and behind-the-scenes stories from the production. Behind the Screen
: Part two of a 1966 six-part Belgian television series about the film's production. It includes rare footage of rehearsals, set construction, and production designer Bernard Evein discussing his vibrant pastel aesthetics. Archival Interview (1966)
: A French television segment featuring director Jacques Demy and composer Michel Legrand discussing their collaboration and the film's jazz-infused score. Jacqueline Moreau & Jean-Pierre Berthomé
: A 2014 conversation between Demy's biographer and the film's costume designer, focusing on the iconic "pastel paradise" of the wardrobe. Theatrical Trailer : The original promotional trailer for the film. Printed Essay The Young Girls of Rochefort -1967- Criterion -...
: A booklet (or foldout) featuring "Not the Same Old Song and Dance," an essay by renowned film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum The Criterion Collection Technical Specifications
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. The Criterion Collection edition of Jacques Demy’s The
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 Here’s an interesting, slightly offbeat review of The
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.
Demy had already shattered hearts with The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), a sung-through tragedy where every note seemed rain-soaked. With Rochefort, he reversed the formula. Here, dialogue scenes are spoken, and songs erupt as joyous, diegetic interruptions—from street pianos to carnival stages. The plot, a carousel of missed connections, follows twin sisters (Deneuve and real-life sister Françoise Dorléac, in her final screen role) who dream of leaving their sleepy Atlantic port town for Paris. Meanwhile, a murder subplot (yes, a murder), a sailor on leave, and a visiting American composer named Andy (Gene Kelly, dancing like a god) all converge in a series of near-misses.
The film’s genius lies in its structure of ironic detachment: Everyone is searching for their ideal love, often standing just yards apart. Demy, who survived the Brittany bombings as a child, understood that life’s cruelties are often mundane—not tragic, just mismatched. Rochefort’s radiant surface is the film’s true darkness: a world so beautiful that pain becomes invisible.
Director: Jacques Demy Starring: Françoise Dorléac, Catherine Deneuve, Gene Kelly, Michel Piccoli, and George Chakiris. Available on: The Criterion Collection
While Jacques Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) is famous for its tragic, rain-soaked romance, its follow-up, The Young Girls of Rochefort (Les Demoiselles de Rochefort), is a celebration of life, color, and boundless optimism. Released in 1967 and now preserved in stunning high-definition by the Criterion Collection, this film is widely considered one of the greatest movie musicals ever made—and arguably the quintessential "French New Wave Musical."
Criterion is famous for its “extras,” and the The Young Girls of Rochefort -1967- Criterion disc is a treasure trove.