Divided into three narratives. First section is set around the first decade of the twentieth century in the Ardennes, where Count Forbeck unveils his architect's design for a utopian city. In a modern day mirroring of the first story, a group of professors now inhabiting Forbeck's castle seek a new form of education through the use of the imagination, under the guidance of a guru named Guarini. The last segment depicts a Wagnerian fantasy landscape of kings and dragons, which arises from the imagination of the children of some of the professors at the school.

Originally released as a motion picture in 1983.

Special features: Original theatrical trailer; "Resnais est un roman:" a documentary film on the making of Life is a bed of roses (1983).

Cinematography, Bruno Nuytten ; camera, Philippe Brun ; editors, Albert Jurgenson, Jean-Pierre Besnard ; music, M. Philippe-Gerard ; costume designers, Catherine Leterrier, Enki Bilal ; production designers, Jacques Saulnier, Enki Bilal.

Vittorio Gassman, Ruggero Raimondi, Geraldine Chaplin, Fanny Ardant, Pierre Arditi, Sabine Azema, Robert Manuel, Martine Kelly, Samson Fainsilber, Veronique Silver, Andre Dussollier.

DVD, widescreen (1.66:1, enhanced) presentation; Dolby Digital, NTSC.

French dialogue with optional English subtitles.