Triplets of Belleville

Theatrical Release Date: 2003 11 26 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 043396032316

Studio: Columbia TriStar

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Brief Nudity, Adult Humor, Watch With Your Kids, Scary Moments, Slapstick Violence]

Summary: French filmmaker Sylvain Chomet directs the animated feature The Triplets of Belleville. A young boy is raised by his grandmother, Madame Souza, in the French countryside. She buys him a bicycle and encourages his dream of winning the Tour de France. However, he gets kidnapped by a group of Mafia gangsters and taken to the big city of Belleville, where he is used for his bicycling prowess in an elaborate gambling scheme. Along with her faithful companion Bruno, Madame Souza sets out to rescue her grandson. They befriend a trio of aging musicians who were once the '30s jazz trio known as The Triplets of Belleville. Features an original jazz musical score by Beno?t Charest. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Category: Comedy

Awards: Best Foreign Language Film – Boston Society of Film Critics Best Animated Feature – Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Music – Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Music – Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Animated Feature – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Special Jury Prize – Copenhagen International Film Festival Best Original Score – French Academy of Cinema Best Foreign Film – Independent Spirit Awards Best Canadian Film – Toronto Film Critics Association Best Animated Feature – Toronto Film Critics Association Best Foreign Film – Chicago Film Critics Association Best Original Score – Chicago Film Critics Association Best Animated Feature – New York Film Critics Circle Best Picture – Genie Awards Best Original Score – Genie Awards Film Presented – Telluride Film Festival

Features: cc"Making of The Triplets of Bellville"
Featurette "The Cartoon According to Director Sylvain Chomet"
Select scenes with commentary: "Opening Sequence," "Restaurant Performance," and "Tuning the Wheel"
"Bellville Rendez-Vous" music video
Theatrical trailer

Triplets of Belleville

Format: DVD

Release Date: 05/04/2004

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Alternate Wide Screen

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 81 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Start
2. "Bellville Rendezvous"
3. Champion & Madame Souza
4. Bruno
5. His Heart's Desire
6. Neither Sleet, Rain Nor Snow
7. Ironing Out the Kinks
8. Roberte Rivette
9. Tour De France
10. The Mysterious Men in Black
11. Kidnapped!
12. Hot on the Scent
13. Trans-Oceanic Crossing
14. Bellville
15. The French Mafia Chief
16. "Bellville Rendezvous" (Reprise)
17. At Home With the Triplets
18. Catch of the Day
19. Dinner Is Served
20. Honored Guests
21. Another Rigorous Training Process
22. Cabaret Hoover
23. Close Shave
24. A Night at the Races
25. Souza Incognito
26. Le Grande Escape
27. Pursued by the Mob
28. You Are Now Leaving Bellville

Andrea LeVasseur

The opening sequence of the The Triplets of Belleville is one of those crude, early black-and-white cartoons that might have played before the feature in a traditional movie palace. It not only sets the surreal tone for the film, it also introduces the wonderfully infectious title song. Inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt, the jazz score (composed by Beno?t Charest) is an important element because writer/director Sylvain Chomet has wisely chosen to refrain from using dialogue. Traversing through a non-standard adventure, the endearing main characters communicate through nonverbal behavior. Bruno is a loyal hound dog who barks at trains and occasionally drifts off into bizarre dream sequences. Matronly Madame Souza might walk with a limp, but she's a tough coach and a stickler for precision. Together, the humble team hobbles toward the big city of Belleville in order to rescue their beloved Champion. The city is an ink-washed masterpiece of strange proportions. Huge American tourists line the streets, while the villains are represented by symmetrical blocks of homogenous mobsters. The heroes quickly befriend a trio of elderly experimental musicians who live near a swamp and dine exclusively on frogs. If this all sounds too absurd, remember that the tale is told from the tender perspective of an old lady and her dog. The warm, nostalgic style borrows from the comedy of Jacques Tati and the design of '50s animation. The adventure moves at a slow, gentle pace leading up to a daring car chase and rescue sequence. Accept the ridiculous premise, because the simple joys are completely worth the suspension of disbelief. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Didier Brunner  Producer 
Sylvain Chomet  Director 
Sylvain Chomet  Screenwriter 
Benoît Charest  Composer (Music Score) 
Jean-Claude Donda  Actor 
Michel Robin  Actor 
Monica Vegas  Actor 
Michele Caucheteux  Actor 

Country: Belgium,Canada,France