The Criterion Collection has morality and crime on the mind for their April releases. It’s a month that may be short on show-stopping titles, but for anyone looking to dig deeper into the some of the most legendary filmmakers the form has ever seen, this will be a good time to drop some dollars.
We’ll start over on the Eclipse line, where Yasujiro Ozu has three of his crime flicks collected: "Walk Cheerfully," "That Night’s Wife," and "Dragnet Girl." In addition to being a different flavor from his more well known works like "Tokyo Story" and "Late Spring," they are also silent, giving these dramas a different edge. One to seek out if you’re feeling adventurous.
Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre Melville, the master behind "Le Samourai," "Le Cercle Rouge," and "Bob Le Flambeur," will see his "Le Silence De La Mer" enter the Collection. It will come packaged with interviews and an essay, but most significantly, his first film, "24 Hours in the Life of a Clown."
Carol Reed ("The Fallen Idol," "The Third Man") will see his "Odd Man Out" get stamped with a wacky C. The set will come with two short documentaries, interviews, and much more, and should be a nice addition alongside his more famous titles on your shelf.
Lastly, getting upgrades to Blu-ray: Preston Sturges‘ "Sullivan’s Travels," Jean Renoir‘s "The River," and Peter Yates‘ "The Friends Of Eddie Coyle." Full details for all the titles here.
