Finis Terrae is released on Blu-ray August 12!
One of the most important filmmakers France has ever produced, Jean Epstein was a film theorist, critic and a leading figure in the French Impressionist movement. Perhaps best known today for directing the first adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher from a screenplay co-written with Luis Buñuel, Epstein produced several masterpieces during the silent period, including Faithful Heart (Coeur fidèle), The Three-Sided Mirror (La glace à trois faces) and Finis Terrae, the story of a group of fishermen stranded off the cost of Brittany. An atmospheric maritime tale and a forerunner to such films as Robert Eggers‘ The Lighthouse and Mark Jenkin’s Bait, Finis Terrae is one of Jean Epstein’s finest achievements and an aesthetic triumph, particularly in its early and deeply effective use of slow-motion cinematography. The Masters of Cinema series is honored to present ‘Finis Terrae’ from an astounding 4K restoration by Gaumont Film Company.
Finis Terrae is one of Jean Epstein’s finest achievements, particularly in its early and deeply effective use of slow motion cinematography.
Four fisherman set out on a three month expedition to the islet Bannec. They intend to harvest seaweed, which will fetch high prices if burned and processed properly – but cabin fever soon sets in. After two of the men brawl over a broken bottle of wine, one of them cuts his thumb on a piece of glass, while the other comes to suspect that his knife has been stolen with malicious intent. As the situation escalates, conditions at sea make it impossible for the men to leave Bannec or for help from the mainland to reach them.
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES*:
- Limited Edition of 2,000 copies
- Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by John Dunn
- Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring a new essay on Finis Terrae by Jean Epstein expert Christophe Wall-Romana and archival writing by the director
- Finis Terrae presented in 1080p HD from a 4K restoration by Gaumont Film Company
- Optional English subtitles
- Impressions on Jean Epstein – new interview with film historian and critic Pamela Hutchinson on the life and work of the director
- Stranded – new video essay on Finis Terrae
- The Bottom of the Wave – an archival appreciation of Finis Terrae by Joel Daire
* All extras subject to change
DETAILS:
Label: Eureka Entertainment
FINIS TERRAE (Masters of Cinema) Limited Edition Blu-ray
JEAN-MARIE LAOT | AMBROISE ROUZIC
Director JEAN EPSTEIN | 1929 | 81 mins | FRANCE | SILENT / DRAMA
Language SILENT (FRENCH INTERTITLES) | 1.33:1 OAR | Region A/B
UK Blu-ray: Cert. TBC | Cat. No. EKA70592 | Barcode 5060000705928 | RRP £22.99 | 11 AUGUST 2025
US/CAN Blu-ray: Cert. UNRATED | Cat. No. EKV70592 | Barcode 760137187059 | SRP $39.95 | 12 AUG 2025
Finis Terrae is released on Blu-ray August 12, 2025!
PRE-ORDER NOW!
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Gerard Iribe
Gerard Iribe is a writer/reviewer for Why So Blu?. He has also reviewed for other sites like DVD Talk, Project-Blu, and CHUD, but Why So Blu? is where the heart is. You can follow his incoherency on Twitter: @giribe
