AS THE 1960S BEGAN, THE CLASSIC PERIOD OF FILM NOIR CAME TO AN END IN HOLLYWOOD. BUT FILMMAKERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD WOULD CONTINUE TO PRODUCE FIRST-RATE EXAMPLES OF THE GENRE, WITH THREE SUPERB EXAMPLES COLLECTED HERE. IN HELMUT KÄUTNER'S BLACK GRAVEL AN ILLICIT COUPLE FIND THEMSELVES HAVING TO COVER UP A PAIR OF DEAD BODIES IN POST-WAR GERMANY. IN JACQUES DERAY'S SYMPHONY FOR A MASSACRE FIVE GANGSTERS BUY A CACHE OF DRUGS, BUT ONE OF THEM IS PLANNING A DOUBLE CROSS. IN TAKUMI FURUKAWA'S CRUEL GUN STORY A GANGSTER (JOE SHISHIDO) EXECUTES A DARING HEIST ON AN ARMOURED VEHICLE.

Technical Specs:

• Language(s): French, German, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Interactive Menu
• PCM Mono

• Behind the Scenes
• Bonus Footage
• Commentary: 'Black Gravel': Olaf Möller (film historian); 'Symphony for a Massacre': Travis Woods (critic); 'Cruel Gun Story': Jasper Sharp (author/film-maker)
• Interviews: Helmut Käutner (director); Jacques Deray (director); Charles Vanel (actor); Jean Rochefort (actor); Jô Shishido (actor)
• Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork; 'Black Gravel': Uncensored original cut and re-edited distribution cut included; Introduction from Margaret Deriaz (writer/programmer); Newsreel footage of film set; 'Symphony for a Massacre': Introduction from Christina Newland (critic); 'Cruel Gun Story': Introduction from Tony Rayns (critic/programmer); Visual essay by critic Philip Kemp on Nikkatsu's noir films of the 1960s
• Trailers