Product Details

• Actors: Maxwell Reed, Dinah Sheridan, Patrick Doonan, Dermot Walsh, Jane Barrett
• Directors: Robert S. Baker, Henry Cass, Terence Fisher, Charles Saunders, John Giling
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: VCI Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: June 30, 2009
• Run Time: 453 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0027ZH9HI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,721 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

BRITISH CINEMA CRIME & NOIR - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "British Cinema ... Crime & Noir (1950-1956) ... VCI Ent. (2009", June 19, 2009

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: British Cinema: Renown Pictures Crime & Noir Blackout, Bond of Fear, Home To Danger, Meet Mr. Callaghan, No Trace, Recoil (DVD)

VCI Entertainment presents "BRITISH CINEMA:THE RENOWN PICTURES CRIME & NOIR" --- (1950-1956) (453 min/B&W) --- (Dolby digitally remastered) --- Perhaps the beauty of 'Film-Noir' is its lack of limitation, and its problematic nature of strict classification. Translated literally as "Black Cinema (or film)" and so defined by French critics post WW2 to describe the increasing trend of American crime dramas shot with murky, shadowy grays often with anti-hero protagonists. Plot devices of amnesia, recent ex-convict characters, flash-back (remembered) narratives, femme fatales, shared guilt, pathos, classic nemesis and occasional obtuse camera angles are only a few of the recognizable stylistic norms building the distinguishing keys of Film-Noir. Most often plots were derived from the hard-boiled pulp fiction novels of the era. More of a theme or mood than a 'genre' - the Noir appeal spawned many contemporary imitations - The titles in this set is what we call 'Classic British Noir'.

DISC ONE:

BLACKOUT (September 1950) (73 min/B&W) - Robert S. Baker (Director)
The film is full of actors familiar from that period,including one of my favorite actors of that time Eric Pohleman.He really was a superb villain.The fact that he had a continental accent meant that this made him sound even more sinister to the post war audiences.Also featured is Michael Brennan who must have beaten up more leading men than he had hot dinners.Kynaston Reeves who usually played Judges has a longer part than usual.In all a reasonably entertaining thriller

BOND OF FEAR (April 1956) (72 mins/B&W) - Henry Cass (Director)
So here we have good old Dermot Walsh minding his own business, taking his family on a trip with the caravan in tow and ending up with a wanted criminal holding them hostage whilst on the move with their trailer.

HOME TO DANGER (August 1951) (66 mins/B&W) - Terence Fisher (Director)
Our heroine has her hands full and more when she returns home to claim the family estate after her father's death. Could it be that another party is interested in the estate and is trying to kill her.

DISC TWO:

MEET MR. CALLAGHAN (June 1954) (88 mins/B&W) - Charles Saunders (Director)
Based on a Peter Cheyney novel, and featuring his main character of Callaghan (De Marney), the film moves along at a brisk pace, and the plot, which is quite involved, never sags and retains the viewers interest all the way --- The scene in the nightclub, when he is tempted by singer Adrienne Corri, is a joy of deadpan expression and he certainly carries this film along in a totally professional manner --- You are left with the distinct impression that this is how the author imagined his main character to be.

NO TRACE (8 September 1950) (75 mins/B&W) - John Gilling (Director)
The tale of a famous crime novels writer who commits the perfect murder in order to protect himself against a black mailer --- A guy he knew several years ago and with whom he committed some criminal events --- This is an effective, sharp and breathtaking nail biter.

RECOIL (August 1953) (79 mins/B&W) - John Gilling (Director)
Her father is killed in a heist gone wrong and the criminal is seen by Jean (Elizabeth Sellars) --- Jean then sets about trying to trap the killer (Edward Underdown) --- Cleverly working her way into the confidence of the killer and his cohorts, Jean keeps the police updated on the future plans of the gang.

Hats off and thanks to Robert Blair and his staff at VCI Entertainment --- VCI was named in Variety and Hollywood Reporter as the first company to produce and release motion pictures directly to the home marketplace --- order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment where there are plenty of copies available on DVD, stay tuned once again for top notch releases --- VCI are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector -- looking forward to more Nostalgic Collections.

Total Time: 453 mins on DVD ~ VCI Home Video 8558 ~ (06/30/2009)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRITISH IS BEST!, August 1, 2009

By 

R. Bromley (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: British Cinema: Renown Pictures Crime & Noir Blackout, Bond of Fear, Home To Danger, Meet Mr. Callaghan, No Trace, Recoil (DVD)

If you like British Movies from the 50's you'll love these. Overall excellent quality transfers. I enjoyed each and every one of these six movies. I especially liked "Bond of Fear". Not only was a typical English family from the time period portrayed but also a Series I Land Rover complete with trailer (Caravan). I enjoyed every minute of it. Great scenery along the way too! Hope there will be more of these type DVD's in the future. Order it from Amazon.com as soon as you have a chance. Great movies at a small price!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars British Cinema DVDs, September 25, 2010

By 

bugszy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: British Cinema: Renown Pictures Crime & Noir Blackout, Bond of Fear, Home To Danger, Meet Mr. Callaghan, No Trace, Recoil (DVD)

These are good movies and they are good quality. I am happy with my purchase.