HOME ENTERTAINMENT : ‘Truffaut’: A Detailed Look at the Master

Most American moviegoers know the late Francois Truffaut as the charming French scientist in 1977’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” but to serious film fans he was one of the most interesting, complex film directors of all time.

“Francois Truffaut: Stolen Portraits” (Fox Lorber), the acclaimed documentary on the French New Wave pioneer, arrives Tuesday in video stores. Featured in the retrospective are clips from his films and interviews with Gerard Depardieu; directors Bertrand Tavernier, Claude Chabrol and Eric Rohmer; and Truffaut’s ex-wife and daughters.

Several of Truffaut’s films also are currently available on home video.

Truffaut made an extraordinary feature debut with 1959’s “The 400 Blows” (CBS/Fox), a stark, haunting, semi-autobiographical drama about Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Leaud), a Parisian boy who turns to a life of petty crime due to the lack of love from his parents (Albert Remy, Claire Murier). Truffaut and Marcel Moussy’s script was nominated for an Oscar, but lost to the Doris Day-Rock Hudson comedy “Pillow Talk.”

His 1961 film, “Jules et Jim” (CBS/Fox), is one of his best. Oskar Werner, Jeanne Moreau and Henri Serre are superb in this evocative, romantic, daring adaptation of Henri-Pierre Roche’s novel about the relationship between three people. Raoul Coutard supplied the incredible black-and-white visuals; Georges Delerue composed the haunting score.

The 1968 thriller “The Bride Wore Black” (MGM/UA, $20) is Truffaut’s homage to one of his favorite directors, Alfred Hitchcock. Jeanne Moreau is perfectly cast in this adaptation of William Irish’s (Cornell Woolrich) novel about a woman who seeks revenge on the five men who accidentally killed her husband on their wedding day. One of Hitchcock’s composers, Bernard Herrmann, penned the score.

Truffaut explores the world of children once again in the compelling 1970 drama “The Wild Child” (MGM/UA, $20). Set in 18th century France, “Wild Child” chronicles the true story of how Dr. Jean Itard (Truffaut) “civilized” a young boy (Jean-Pierre Cargol) found living wild in the forest.

Truffaut’s 1973 film “Day for Night” (Warner, $20) is his valentine to the cinema. Truffaut, Jacqueline Bisset, Jean-Pierre Leaud, Jean-Pierre Aumont and Valentina Cortese star in this delightful comedy about the trials of a director (Truffaut) trying to make a silly little love story. The film won the best foreign language film Oscar.

Isabelle Adjani received a best actress Oscar nomination for her haunting performance in Truffaut’s 1975 drama “The Story of Adele H” (MGM/UA, $20) as the daughter of writer Victor Hugo, whose obsession with a soldier (Bruce Robinson) turns into madness.

Truffaut’s charming 1976 comedy-drama “Small Change” (MGM/UA, $20) explores the lives of several children in a small French village. This work is far different in tone and style than “400 Blows.”

Truffaut’s last film before his death in 1984 at age 52 is the lightweight 1983 mystery thriller “Confidentially Yours” (CBS/Fox). Then-girlfriend Fanny Ardant and Jean-Louis Trintignant star in this adaptation of Charles Williams’ “The Long Saturday Night” about a businessman wrongly accused of murder.

*

From Britain: MPI is releasing “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes,” the last six episodes of the popular series starring the late Jeremy Brett ($20 each).

Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth star in the wonderful new adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice” (A&E; Home Video, $100).

CBS/Fox and BBC Video are offering two “Masterpiece Theatre” series: “The Final Cut” ($40), the delicious final installment of Michael Dobb’s satire starring Ian Richardson, and “The Buccaneers” ($60), a lavish adaptation of Edith Wharton’s final novel.

*

Pump It Up: CRUNCH Fitness’ workout videos “Brand New Butt,” “Fat Blaster,” “Turbo Sculpt” and “Washboard Abs” (Anchor Bay, $10 each) are fast-paced, fun and energetic, but definitely not for beginners.

*

Killer Bs: An FBI special agent (Bryan Genesse) is captured by a Cuban general and implanted with a microchip in “Live Wire: Human Timebomb” (New Line), a strictly by-the-numbers action flick.

The Australian detective flick “Bullet Down Under” (Arrow Video) is a muddled shoot-em-up starring Christopher Atkins and Mark Jackson.

New This Week: “Pocahontas” (Walt Disney Home Video, $27), Walt Disney’s 33rd animated film, makes its home video debut. Also available is a special collector’s edition ($80), which features the film, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie, a special edition of “The Art of Pocahontas” and a collector’s set of art that includes a certified lithograph.

Sandra Oh stars in the generational comedy “Double Happiness” (New Line).

Also new: “Coming Out Under Fire” (Orion) and “Dead Weekend” (Paramount).