Why So Blu?

World Noir Vol. 3 on Blu-ray June 23!

We have a fresh installment of our popular global genre boxsets with WORLD NOIR VOL. 3. European filmmakers, still reeling in the aftermath of World War II, were creating works equal to the Hollywood noir that came to define the genre. All three films are presented here on Blu-ray with English subtitles for the very first time.French director (and swimming champion) Henri Decoin’s NOT GUILTY (1947) sees Michel Simon (L’Atalante) star as Michel Ancelin, a brilliant doctor with an alcohol problem. When a tragic accident occurs at his hands, Michel covers his tracks through a complex web of lies. Peter Lorre (M, Casablanca) writes, directs and stars in THE LOST ONE (1951), his only film as writer or director. Haunted by a terrible secret, Dr. Karl Rothe’s dark past catches up with him at a displaced persons camp. Described by Ingmar Bergman as “a masterpiece”, director Hasse Ekman’s GIRL WITH HYACINTHS (1950) is regarded as one of the great films of Swedish cinema. Following the sudden suicide of a mysterious young woman, her neighbors are compelled to investigate the circumstances leading to her death. World Noir Vol 3 is released June 23, 2025!

 

 

Three more gems from the Golden Age of Noir. In Not Guilty, a sadistic yet brilliant doctor (Michel Simon, The Train) spins a web of lies and causes havoc in a small town. Peter Lorre (M) directs and stars as a troubled man navigating post-war Germany while haunted by a terrible secret in The Lost One. Considered one of the great films of Swedish cinema, Hasse Ekman’s Girl with Hyacinths twisty thriller explores the fallout from a mysterious suicide.

EXTRAS:

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
• 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 Sara 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

• Commentary by film noir expert Alan Rode and Peter Lorre biography 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

• Audio commentary by Peter Jilmstad (2025)
• Interview with Hasse Ekman (1993, 63 mins)
• Visual essay by Julia Armfield (2025)
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork

 

World Noir Vol 3 is released on Blu-ray in the UK June 23, 2025!

PRE-ORDER NOW!

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