The good thing is that Tavernier has eyes to follow this magnificent journey with a second part and I, for one, can't wait. Although it runs a tad over three hours I could have cheerfully sat through another three without a break. It's difficult to think of anyone off the top of my head who would be better equipped to undertake something like this though presumably there are people in the world as knowledgeable, erudite, and enthusiastic as Tavernier who probably has sprockets where you and I have veins. It helps enormously of course if you're a French cinema buff; I went with someone who recognised about three of the titles whilst I own DVD copies of roughly two thirds and have seen about half the other third. Initially I was chagrined by the amount of footage he devoted to the new wavelet that did its best in its three- four year hour in the sun to destroy French cinema but then I decided Tavernier - whose own films are as unlike the new wavelet as you can get, and actually employed Jean Aurenche and Pierre Bost, Truffaut's twin bete noirs - was merely offering a balanced view of his subject.One of the best things about it are the generous clips punctuating it offering lingering glimpses of the cream of French cinema. I watched it as part of the LFF and I can't wait for the next screening and the release of the DVD.
