Agreed. His commentary/writing always had me guffawing. So clever. So cultured. Self-deprecating. Totally adorable. Felt like a dear friend. Would love to have known him.
As someone who is ambivalent about the current cultural obsession with enjoying "travel" (aka being on holiday) as a substitute for having a personality, I find this to be a most entertaining travel show.
My favourite in the postcard series. Clive James had such a way with words. Great entertainment witty and charming reminiscing of what could have been and we can all look back and think the same. A slice of history ( released in 1989) a different era wonderfully written and filmed. I love Paris and it deserves its reputation as a place for lovers. RIP Clive James greatly missed but we still have his celluloid and especially his words to remind us of his genius.
These 'postcards' are fabulous because they combine Clive's wit, intelligence, knowledge of history, social mores, literature, etc. Very enjoyable. I hope we will always be able to access them on youtube. RIP
Of all his postcards, this is the one I remember as a child because of the Bonjour Tristesse references. His conclusion at the nightclub and on the bridge is just perfect
"Knowing it better, I might have loved it less, but as it is, I can't take my eyes off the place" "I felt like a visitor from another planet, which I suppose is what I was, and always had been."
This is so perfectly edited with the bridge sequences bookending it and the superb script he wrote for the very end, and a bunch of hilarious incidents scattered throughout. Can't believe it's taken me 33 years to watch this particular film, but I would have been too young to fully appreciate it at the time. Now it's very much a feeling, recalling my own visits to Paris, of "oh wow, Clive James went there too". Nearly three years after his death I don't feel overwhelmingly sad, because there is so much - almost an unlimited amount - of work he left for us to enjoy.
Clive James is my hero but let’s hear it for the crew on the postcard series as well. The camera work is sublime and the editing is impeccable. Every episode was a masterpiece. This level of craftsmanship in video representation is seldom today. James might just be by favorite poet
That's Francoise Sagan (1935-2004..French playwright,novelist and screenwriter) ' driving' Clive James!! Wonder what happened the poor guy with the briefcase.Thank you for your courage Clive! Priceless.
RIP Mr James. Well I recall the Restaurant Chez Miguel - on an architectural study visit I took a group of students there. What an evening- it was hilarious...the food was dire, the wine well-watered. Madame was closely observing us to make sure we ate up everything..so inedible was it that some girls were tipping the food into their handbags. What a great tip-off for a memorable evening- thank you Clive, you will be sorely missed.
For anybody who hasn't guessed, Paris is a beautiful city, but just a place where people live. Parisians aren't all top models, loony novelists, exquisite creatures, art fans etc. The taxi drivers aren't all rude. The pyramid does its job, The best, truest, thing Clive James said is that you can perhaps live in a cramped and shabby flat, but walk out the door and feast your eyes on a glorious view, for free.
"Postcard from Paris" was originally broadcast on 18 January 1989. I had visited Paris in Sept 1988 and loved it. The city and the girls looked exactly as you see them here. I don't think it will be as beautiful as it once was at the time. People who recently visited it report it as run down, dirty, ugly.... like Latin America. Plus it's even more expensive than was before, and overcrowded. Despite opposition, it's turned into another American pre-fabricated Disneyland for foolish tourists.
BCBG = Preppy, where I come from. (Toronto) The concept might be broader in Paris, to include mature members of the social stratum that can afford to send their children to private schools and elite universities.
Half of his script for these postcards are non sequiturs and consist of him being pleased with himself regardless of his surroundings, But the production values are high and the narrative is compelling so it doesn't matter so much. His poetry and his more serious tv and radio work are great though. Raymond chandler was a much better noir writer than Clive James was a commentator. Great shame to have to write about Clive James in the past!
My God, this is dated! Interesting, but dated. My French teacher wasn’t even born when this was produced. It is a very witty slice of time. What’s interesting is how much more polluted the air was hanging over the skyline of Paris like mustard gas over No Man’s Land at the Marne.
? WTF ? To whom? He’s so cultured and clever. Have you acquainted yourself with his history and friendship circle. His novels and poetry? His ‘thing’ was self-deprecating humour. Unless you were being ironic?
Clives "Postcard" series was the best.funniest wittiest and most entertaining travel programmes ever made in my eyes. RIP pal
Agreed. His commentary/writing always had me guffawing. So clever. So cultured. Self-deprecating. Totally adorable. Felt like a dear friend. Would love to have known him.
As someone who is ambivalent about the current cultural obsession with enjoying "travel" (aka being on holiday) as a substitute for having a personality, I find this to be a most entertaining travel show.
My favourite in the postcard series. Clive James had such a way with words. Great entertainment witty and charming reminiscing of what could have been and we can all look back and think the same. A slice of history ( released in 1989) a different era wonderfully written and filmed. I love Paris and it deserves its reputation as a place for lovers. RIP Clive James greatly missed but we still have his celluloid and especially his words to remind us of his genius.
Agreed with everything.
These 'postcards' are fabulous because they combine Clive's wit, intelligence, knowledge of history, social mores, literature, etc. Very enjoyable. I hope we will always be able to access them on youtube. RIP
Of all his postcards, this is the one I remember as a child because of the Bonjour Tristesse references.
His conclusion at the nightclub and on the bridge is just perfect
"Knowing it better, I might have loved it less, but as it is, I can't take my eyes off the place"
"I felt like a visitor from another planet, which I suppose is what I was, and always had been."
RIP Clive ,you opened up so much of the arts and travel to me with your books and Postcard series!
This is so perfectly edited with the bridge sequences bookending it and the superb script he wrote for the very end, and a bunch of hilarious incidents scattered throughout. Can't believe it's taken me 33 years to watch this particular film, but I would have been too young to fully appreciate it at the time. Now it's very much a feeling, recalling my own visits to Paris, of "oh wow, Clive James went there too". Nearly three years after his death I don't feel overwhelmingly sad, because there is so much - almost an unlimited amount - of work he left for us to enjoy.
I loved all his "Postcards from". He was such a funny guy. RIP Clive.
Clive James is my hero but let’s hear it for the crew on the postcard series as well. The camera work is sublime and the editing is impeccable. Every episode was a masterpiece. This level of craftsmanship in video representation is seldom today. James might just be by favorite poet
That's Francoise Sagan (1935-2004..French playwright,novelist and screenwriter) ' driving' Clive James!! Wonder what happened the poor guy with the briefcase.Thank you for your courage Clive! Priceless.
The last few lines in this episode are utterly beautiful, I have tears in my eyes. Au revoir, Clive. Rest well.
Agreed. Beautiful sentiments expressed by someone who had Paris in his soul.
Terrific. Thanks for posting.
Loved clive james on the tv one of the best ever programmes up there with whickers world and love the voice over comments he said
The legend is Clive James
miss Clive James so much
But he left so much for us to enjoy so we're lucky !
RIP Clive... you'll be surely missed.
Excellent . Clive James .
My family and I loved Paris ......... it’s magical ☺️
RIP Mr James. Well I recall the Restaurant Chez Miguel - on an architectural study visit I took a group of students there. What an evening- it was hilarious...the food was dire, the wine well-watered. Madame was closely observing us to make sure we ate up everything..so inedible was it that some girls were tipping the food into their handbags. What a great tip-off for a memorable evening- thank you Clive, you will be sorely missed.
"They look like Norwegian paratroopers" Too funny, too brilliant
Thank you so much for posting this series.
I have been looking for this for years...THANK YOU...BLESS YOU!
This no joke... What a great Driver 10/10 !!!
RIP CLIVE JAMES. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN ONCE AGAIN.
Inés - one classy lady.
Great writing from Clive! I like the Piramid!
Clive was the best.
Almost 30 years ago! great observations and writing.
Love ya style pal... rip.. quality tv. .
So right...
Beautiful Paris ❤️
Such a shame what happened there it’s now hell.
I always wondered what happened to that student girl at 36-40. ? I hope she's had a great life.
So much melancholy. But I can relate.
A liitle PS - both our cabbies in the 9th Arrondissement in 2013 were charming & voluntarily spoke English to us.
At 40.50: ''I wish I known about this place when I had more hair then money, I might never have left''.
Not one mobile phone in sight 👍, R.I.P. Clive , your great wit will be missed 🧐
Sasha Petrov yes 10 more years till the mobile phone began to ruin our lives.
You do know that this film was made many years before the proliferation of mobile phones?
For anybody who hasn't guessed, Paris is a beautiful city, but just a place where people live. Parisians aren't all top models, loony novelists, exquisite creatures, art fans etc. The taxi drivers aren't all rude. The pyramid does its job, The best, truest, thing Clive James said is that you can perhaps live in a cramped and shabby flat, but walk out the door and feast your eyes on a glorious view, for free.
"Postcard from Paris" was originally broadcast on 18 January 1989. I had visited Paris in Sept 1988 and loved it. The city and the girls looked exactly as you see them here. I don't think it will be as beautiful as it once was at the time. People who recently visited it report it as run down, dirty, ugly.... like Latin America. Plus it's even more expensive than was before, and overcrowded. Despite opposition, it's turned into another American pre-fabricated Disneyland for foolish tourists.
Clive James R.I. Postcard.
Hilarious throw away lines. RIP Clive.
Wow didn’t know he just passed. Strange but his wit will be missed.
He just 'passed' what?
@@dc671 It's the latest euphemism for "died"
Watching again in Oct 2022
Can't get used to the fact he's gone
Definitely sad to think I won't hear or read his take on things ,but we're blessed that he left so much behind with the books and programmes!
You're a very funny man, Clive James.
Does anyone happen to know what the music is at the beginning and end of this? Thanks
BCBG = Preppy, where I come from. (Toronto) The concept might be broader in Paris, to include mature members of the social stratum that can afford to send their children to private schools and elite universities.
What year did Clive and team make this Postcard
Sadly, not the Paris of today. Things changed in such a short time.
@18:22 Oh, Clive! You are so fortunate you didn't live to see what she looks like today.
20:37 wow lol...
ines de la fressange "fashion victims are stupid." Lol.
26:06 Suffers a 3 Shells toilet dilemma like Stallone in Demolition Man.
Such a british sense of humor lol
I love paris. just like they love new york. lol
That girl at 26:50, they just don't do em like this anymore
You mean the chick in the latrine?
@@ThePlataf I think it's called restaurant, but to each their own
@@yanikkunitsin1466 🤣
Ines de le Fressange, beyond lovely!
so what his bcbg just tell a comment
Clive James wrote like Raymond Chandler would have done if he had been any good and had had a sense of humour.
😂
Half of his script for these postcards are non sequiturs and consist of him being pleased with himself regardless of his surroundings, But the production values are high and the narrative is compelling so it doesn't matter so much. His poetry and his more serious tv and radio work are great though. Raymond chandler was a much better noir writer than Clive James was a commentator. Great shame to have to write about Clive James in the past!
You are, in as few words as needed, full of shit ignorance and opinion. Trifecta for the Prole.
Jesus I loathe fast drivers.
What is that French phase for style?
la mode
For one. you can go literal....
No that “Bisi Bishi” thing... 10:40
:)
No that “Bisi Bishi” thing from 10:40
BCBG: Bon chic, bon genre. Still going strong over here...
Newer knew Piaf had 26 yo when she was 46. Talking bout couguars
My God, this is dated! Interesting, but dated. My French teacher wasn’t even born when this was produced. It is a very witty slice of time. What’s interesting is how much more polluted the air was hanging over the skyline of Paris like mustard gas over No Man’s Land at the Marne.
8 muslims disliked this video
I loved Clive James but he embarrasses himself here. He comes across as a philistine, but then he is Australian.
? WTF ? To whom? He’s so cultured and clever. Have you acquainted yourself with his history and friendship circle. His novels and poetry? His ‘thing’ was self-deprecating humour. Unless you were being ironic?
You lot are weird
How pretentious the French are. Hopefully they have matured beyond this point.