Kino Lorber’s FRENCH NOIR COLLECTION II Blu-ray Collects Four Crime Classics This November
Kino Lorber will release FRENCH NOIR COLLECTION II on Blu-ray, a two-disc set featuring four French crime dramas produced between 1953 and 1961. The collection includes StudioCanal’s 2021 restorations and commentary tracks. It will release on Nov. 25, 2025.
This release joins Kino Lorber’s other November titles, including the Death Wish Collection Blu-ray Set from Kino Lorber Arrives November and Monk: The Complete Series & Movie Blu-ray Releases November 2025 from Kino Lorber. Kino Lorber has also announced 4K UHD Restorations of Five Pink Panther Movies.
The films
Rhine Virgin (1953)
Directed by Gilles Grangier. Stars Jean Gabin, Elina Labourdette, and Renaud Mary. Plot: Jacques Ledru, presumed dead during the war, returns to Strasbourg. His wife Geneviève has remarried and taken control of his shipping business.
The Beast is Loose (1959)
Directed by Maurice Labro. Stars Lino Ventura and Estella Blain. Plot: Paul Lamiani, a former gangster and Resistance veteran, is asked to work for the French Secret Service. When he refuses, he is framed and forced into hiding.
Trapped by Fear (1960)
Directed by Jacques Dupont. Stars Jean-Paul Belmondo, Claude Brasseur, Alexandra Stewart, Sylva Koscina, and Mireille Darc. Plot: Reporter Paul Frapier helps an old army friend after the accidental killing of a police officer, which puts him in jeopardy.
The Passion of Slow Fire (1961)
Directed by Édouard Molinaro and based on a novel by Georges Simenon. Stars Jean Desailly and Alexandra Stewart. Plot: A young American woman staying in Professor Blanchon’s villa is found murdered. Suspicion falls on Blanchon, leading to revelations about her feelings for him.
Special features
- StudioCanal 2021 restorations (2K and 4K).
- Rhine Virgin: Audio commentary by Max Allan Collins and Heath Holland.
- The Beast is Loose: Audio commentary by Simon Abrams.
- Trapped by Fear: Audio commentary by Mike Siegel.
- The Passion of Slow Fire: Audio commentary by Max Allan Collins and Heath Holland.
- Theatrical trailers for Rhine Virgin and The Beast is Loose.