Criterion To Release Remastered Film Noir Classics: Kiss Me Deadly and Le cercle rouge

Criterion has announced the coming release of remastered prints of two major films noir on DVD and Blu-Ray: Kiss Me Deadly (1955) and Le cercle rouge (France 1970).

Kiss Me Deadly (1955) This cult classic from Robert Aldrich is a noir masterpiece and an essential relic of cold war paranoia.  Totally weird and compelling.  The release is scheduled for June 21. Pre-order.

Extras:

• New high-definition restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
• Audio commentary by film noir specialists Alain Silver and James Ursini
• New video tribute from director Alex Cox (Repo Man, Walker)
• Excerpts from The Long Haul of A. I. Bezzerides, a 2005 documentary on the Kiss Me Deadly screenwriter
• Excerpts from Mike Hammer’s Mickey Spillane, a 1998 documentary on the author whose book inspired the film
• A look at the film’s locations
• Altered ending
• Theatrical trailer
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman and a 1955 reprint by director Robert Aldrich

Le cercle rouge (France 1970) From the master of dark urban cool Jean-Pierre Melville.  Alain Delon plays a master thief, fresh out of prison, who crosses paths with a notorious escapee (Gian Maria Volonté) and an alcoholic ex-cop (Yves Montand).  The release is scheduled for April 12. Pre-order.

Extras:

• Restored uncut version (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)
• Excerpts from Cinéastes de notre temps: “Jean-Pierre Melville”
• Video interviews with assistant director Bernard Stora and Rui Nogueria, the author of Melville on Melville
• Thirty minutes of rare on-set and archival footage, featuring interviews with director Jean-Pierre Melville and stars Alain Delon, Yves Montand, and André Bourvil
• Original theatrical trailer and 2003 Rialto Pictures rerelease trailer
• PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by film critics Michael Sragow and Chris Fujiwara, excerpts fromMelville on Melville, a reprinted interview with composer Eric Demarsan, and an appreciation from director John Woo