Mr Hulot's Holiday (Les Vacances De M.Hulot) [VHS] [1953]

There's little argument that Tati's M. Hulot's Holiday, or Les Vacances de M. Hulot, is a movie beyond dispute, a classic by now,and easy to recommend--unless you can't stand mimes, or quasi-mimes. It's really an unsentimental take on human foibles and the random whimsyof our environment, both material and human--as well as a visual essay on the sometimes complicated nature of vacations. For me, having grown up on an island, it's probably even more vivid and evocative. There's a sweet nostalgia to it, as day after day washes past, as elemental sea and land meet, as strangers meet and glance off of one another, as we come to know each individual and his or her traits and eccentricities. And then there's tall, loping Hulot, walking through the middle of the film, oblivious to most of the chaos that follows in his wake. But finally, it's probably the longest string of truly inventive sight gags in movies, short of Keaton's best work. It's my favorite of all of Tati's films, before he became a bit more labored in his later work, a bit too self-consciously ambitious and pretentious perhaps. (Though I still enjoy them and recommend them. It's a very small body of work--the work of an obvious perfectionist--and easily worth the time invested.)This new BFI release is the best transfer of the movie I've ever seen, complete with an insightful featured interview by Philip Kemp with the very articulate, intelligent Richard Lester. Lester actually listens carefully to the questions, thinks about his answers before responding, and you can see him refining his (and our) understanding of the "calmly framed" aesthetic of Tati. I watched the straight HD disc, not having an all-region Blu-ray player, but I don't see how the transfer could be much more detailed or much cleaner than the regular DVD included here. Worth noting, as well, is that this release includes a more generous translation into English of the French dialogue, making this release less of a silent movie and more of a quiet movie. Shot on location at an actual resort in northern France, in documentary style, this is the 1978 re-edit of the movie, one that Tati continued to tinker with from the initial 1953 release until reaching what seems to be the director's final cut of Les Vacances.

Some say that for humour to be good, it has to be well observed and gentle. Modern comedy could learn a lot from this film. It is quite simply the best that Jacques Tati did. His other work was never as good as this. His walk used to make my parents roar with laughter and the scenes at the railway station are wonderful.So wonderful that my father could recall several similar scenes in real life! Hulot's car is of course is a star in its own right.In the same way as that of a circus clown. The English couple are played to perfection too,typical of the adventurous English couple who might have journeyed to France in those days? Probably as most English people would have been scared of staying in a low budget French Hotel in those days. The squeaky door is also wonderful. Of course the simple notion of holidays in those days would be a different world for us today. We live in fast paced times and have much more complex lives. Perhaps then that is why this is still so good, transporting us back to a different age, and reminding us that holidays could be simple. What a joy this little gem is!

One of his masterpieces although I prefer stuff like Playtime, which really allowed Tati to express all his potential both in terms of photography, vision/perception of the world and ability to direct multiple situations in a single scene.Here he is more geniusly focused on his main character and the absurd and visually comical adventure on a summer holiday.You see how gently his story is told, the story of an "alien" not belonging to the common and middle class world, and, despite that, not surrendering to it even when trying to establish a "contact" in his everyday life.Partially belonging to the glorious club of silent movies stars (although this is more a "few words movie") whose Tati is definitely one of the most representative and highest members, he refreshed that tradition just by making a film like that years after that era elapsed, and based all his cinema on that. Out of this world, out of time, and therefore always valid and enjoyable.

Bought as a Christmas present to replace the old cassette version when we replaced the old VCR as it's one of those films you can get out, watch again and spot something funny that you've missed before. In some ways a typical piece of work from Jacques Tati that captures the last days of the summer in a small French seaside resort perfectly - a very gentle form of humour and probably the most watchable and enjoyable than any of the other Hulot films produced by Tati.It has the same feel about it as 'The Picnic' by The Two Ronnies, and you don't need to speak French to understand it as most of the humour is visual.You may not split your sides laughing, but you'll probably enjoy a good chuckle.

Very little dialogue of concern in this film. It is a celebration of humorous action and sounds. The sound quality in particular is reminiscent of the quality of sound at the beach. And, so much sun! Just the thing for a British season, and just the thing for a Covid lockdown. One of my favourite Tati films, the bittersweet regret being that he did not make many more like it.

Absolutely loved it!I saw this film when it was first screened in 1953, which rather dates me. I, and all the audience in the cinema, were virtually"rolling in the aisles" at the comedic antics of Jacques Tati (Monsieur Hulot). Very few words spoken, but the visual comedy, basedon his observations of people and situations in real life, spoke volumes and provided the wonderful persons, scenes and actions inthis classic comedy.After all the years which have elapsed since I first saw this film I admit to still finding it incredibly funny. If anybody wants agood laugh, and wishes to be uplifted from normal worldly cares then I heartily recommend this dvd/film.