French Noir Collection II (Rhine Virgin / The Beast Is Loose / Trapped by Fear / Passion Of Slow Fire)

Two-disc set includes: Rhine Virgin (La Vierge Du Rhin) (1953)When the Germans invaded in 1940, Strasbourg shipping company head Jacques Ledru (Jean Gabin) went missing... but his wife Geneviève (Elina Labourdette) and his partner Maurice (Renaud Mary) did very well collaborating and managing the business. After a dozen years, he resurfaced under an assumed name, looking for payback-if they don't deal with him first. Gilles Grangier's compelling take on the Phillipe Nord novel co-stars Andrée Clément, Nadia Gray. 82 min. In French with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR The Beast Is Loose (Le Fauve Est Lâché) (1959)Gangster-turned-Resistance hero Paul Lamiani (Lino Ventura) was just trying to make a quiet life as a restaurateur when his nation called again. However, they were looking for him to set up old comrade Raymond Maroux (Paul Frankeur) for alleged theft of intel-and he'd have a three-way battle with his government handlers and crooks who also want the documents. Effective spy story, completed by Claude Sautet after the credited Maurice Labro walked off, co-stars Estella Blain, Nadine Alari. AKA: "The Tiger Attacks." 98 min. In French with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR Trapped By Fear (Les Distractions) (1960)Paris journalist Paul Frapier (Jean-Paul Belmondo) would have done anything for Laurent Porte (Claude Brasseur), the Algerian War brother-in-arms who saved his life. He'd get to prove it-perhaps to his everlasting regret-when Laurent begs his help going on the run after being involved in the accidental homicide of a cop. Jacques Dupont's scenic, suspenseful drama also stars Alexandra Stewart, Sylva Koscina, Eva Damien, Mireille Darc. 101 min. In French with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR The Passion Of Slow Fire (La Mort de Belle) (1961)Geneva professor Stéphane Blanchon (Jean Desailly) shrugged when his overbearing spouse (Monique Mélinand) offered board to pretty American student, and friend's daughter, Belle Shermann (Alexandra Stewart). There was nothing to shrug off the day that Belle was found strangled on the premises-and his protestations of innocence came up against a community's rush to judgment. Edouard Molinaro's take on the Georges Simeon novel, adapted by Jean Anouilh, co-stars Jacques Monod. 91 min. In French with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR Standard and Widescreen; Soundtrack: French; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; theatrical trailers.