World Noir Vol 3 LE (Region Free) Blu-ray ***Preorder*** 6/23

The conclusion of World War Two saw film noir become firmly established as one of the defining Hollywood film genres, with studios almost unable to keep up with audience demand for more violent and bleak stories of murder, greed and betrayal. 

But outside of the USA, a number of European film-makers, many of whom were still reeling from the destruction levied by years of war on their respective countries, were creating works that were every bit the equal of their contemporaneous American counterparts, while often applying uniquely European sensibilities to the recently established noir framework.

This set features three such classic examples of European noir from the post-war period, with all three presented on Blu-ray with English subtitles for the very first time.

NOT GUILTY

A wickedly enjoyable noir from prolific French genre director (and French national swimming champion) Henri Decoin, Not Guilty sees Michel Simon (Boudu Saved From Drowning, L’Atalante) as an alcoholic yet brilliant doctor who, after accidentally causing a tragic accident while in a drunken stupor, covers his tracks by weaving a complex web of lies and engineering havoc within a small town.

THE LOST ONE

Peter Lorre (M, Casablanca) stars in and - for the first and only time in his career - directs this story of a troubled man navigating post-war Germany while haunted by a terrible secret. Contemporary German audiences, shattered by the war, found this bleak depiction of their country too depressing and painful on its release in 1951. Since then, The Lost One has achieved recognition as a significant work of both noir and German cinema in its own right. 

GIRL WITH HYACINTHS

This early example of Nordic noir is regarded as one of the great films of Swedish cinema, and the masterpiece of Hasse Ekman, one of Sweden’s most important and influential directors. Following the sudden suicide of a mysterious young woman, her neighbours are compelled to investigate the circumstances leading to her death, in a twisty, formally daring and taboo-busting narrative that feels far ahead of its time.

BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION BOX SET SPECIAL FEATURES:

• 4K restoration of Not Guilty by Tf1 presented on Blu-ray for the first time with English subtitles

• High-Definition digital transfer of The Lost One, presented on Blu-ray for the first time with English subtitles

• 2K restoration of Girl with Hyacinths, presented on Blu-ray for the first time outside of Sweden

• Original uncompressed mono PCM audio for all films

• Newly improved optional English subtitles for all films

• Newly designed artwork based on original posters

• Limited edition 80-page perfect bound book featuring archival pieces and new writing by critics and experts including Farran Nehme, Martyn Waites, Elena Lazic, Jourdain Searles, and more

• Limited Edition of 3,000 copies presented in a rigid box with full-height Scanavo cases for each film and removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

NOT GUILTY

• New interview with critic Imogen Sarah Smith on Not Guilty (2025)
• Archival Michael Simon radio interview (1947)
• Archival behind the scenes radio documentary (1947)
• Alternate ending
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork

THE LOST ONE

• New commentary by Alan Rode and Stephen D Youngkin (2025)
• Interview with critic and historian Pamela Hutchinson on Peter Lorre and The Lost One (2025)
• Interview with programmer and historian Margaret Deriaz on post-war German cinema (2025)
• Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork

GIRL WITH HYACINTHS

• New audio commentary by Peter Jilmstad (2025)
• Archival interview with Hasse Ekman (1993, 63 mins)
• Visual essay by novelist Julia Armfield (2025)
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork