Released in 1964, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a deceptively simple story of doomed romanticism told as a movie musical. By then, the movie musical was a genre on the wane, but director Jacques Demy tapped into the timeless appeal of stories about the frailty of love.
Like an opera, the film is divided into several acts, each focusing on a specific time. In Act I, titled The Departure 17-year-old Genevieve (Catherine Deneuve) sells umbrellas at her mother Madame Emery’s (Anne Vernon), small shop. She has found love with 20-year-old Guy (Nino Castelnuovo), and they wish to marry. They face the objections of Madame Emery, who knows Guy’s job as a car mechanic won’t provide Genevieve with the life she deserves. As the story progresses, it’s revealed that Madame Emery is facing a serious financial dilemma: she has to male a large payment to keep her shop but doesn’t have the money. A possible solution emerges in the form of a single, young and wealthy diamond dealer Roland Cassard (Marc Michel) agrees to buy her jewels. Later, while visiting the shop, he takes one look at Genevieve and confesses his interest in the girl. Meanwhile, Guy is drafted into the Army for a two-year stretch. Saying goodbyes at the train station, Genevieve vows to wait for Guy.
In Act II titled The Absence, Genevieve reveals to her mother she is pregnant. At the same time, Roland reappears and professes his love for her. With news from Guy dwindling, Madame Emery convinces Genevieve that the best thing to do would be to marry Roland. Thrilled, Roland even vows to raise Guy’s child as his own.
In Act III, The Return Guy comes home to find Genevieve gone. Armed with the funds he had saved for his family, Guy drinks a lot and spends money in the local brothels. Eventually, the beautiful Madeleine (Ellen Farner) who has been taking care of Guy’s sick aunt for years, offers to help Guy rebuild his life. In time, Guy has the happy family he always wanted.
Not a musical in the traditional sense, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg has no big production numbers, There’s no dancing, no chorus, and no duets. There are no lines of dialogue, everything is sung. Michel Legrand’s operatic soundtrack is some of the most beautiful music in movie history. Unlike most musicals, the story isn’t a lightweight confection. A range of emotions are on display, and a happily-ever-after ending isn’t a forgone conclusion.
Criterion has transferred The Umbrellas of Cherbourg to 4K. HDR hasn’t been applied. It’s cited as being from a “New 4K digital restoration, undertaken by Ciné-Tamaris (in 2024) and approved by Mathieu Demy, director Jacques Demy’s son.” Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the colors, which include bright pinks, reds, purples, and oranges, look amazing. Comparing the 4K to Criterion’s 2014 Blu-ray (which is also included here), detail and depth are stronger, and it shows significantly more real estate in each frame. Flesh tones look natural. Fans should be thrilled with this upgrade.
Criterion uses a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original French language. The 4K disc also offers an alternate mono soundtrack. Both tracks effectively present opera and jazz influenced music of Michel Legrand’s score. Surrounds are active throughout. Clean, clear, and concise, there are no pops, crackles or anomalies present.
English SDH subtitles are available.
The extras on the included Blu-ray have been ported over from Criterion’s release of The Essential Jacques Demy box set:
- Once Upon a Time . . . The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, a 2008 documentary (54:25) by Marie Genin and Serge July, this documentary discusses the continuing appeal of the film. Archival interviews with Jacques Demy, composer Michel Legrand, director Agnes Varda, costume designer Jacqueline Moreau, director Bernard Toublanc-Michel, Catherine Deneuve, and others are included.
- New interview with film scholar Rodney Hill (22:43) Film scholar Rodney Hill discusses the French New Wave, and its characteristics in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, He also covers Jacques Demy’s directing style.
- French television interview from 1964 (11:15) featuring director Jacques Demy and composer Michel Legrand discussing the film.
- Audio recordings of interviews with actor Catherine Deneuve (1983) – 5:18 and Legrand (1991) – 20:55 at the National Film Theatre in London.
- Restoration demonstration (6:07)
- Trailer (1:56)
- Leaflet: An illustrated leaflet featuring Jim Ridley’s essay “A Finite Forever.”