World Noir Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

World Noir Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 23, 2024

Radiance Films has been curating some really interesting titles since its inception, and is now offering what might be called "gritty global cinema" fans a second volume of noir features, after 2023's World Noir Vol. 1 (which I was not sent to review). This trio of films may frankly offer titles that are not that well known beyond a certain fan base, but each of the three films has interesting, sometimes compelling, elements, and as usual Radiance is providing generally secure technical merits and some outstanding supplements. Of the three films in this set, Kino Lorber has released a previous Region A version of Black Gravel, which as of the writing of this review hasn't been reviewed here yet. It looks like Symphony for a Massacre has had two prior releases on Blu-ray, including the Region A Symphony for a Massacre release from Cohen Media Group that I reviewed, and the Region B (albeit French) Symphony for a Massacre release from Pathe Distribution reviewed by Svet Atanasov. For those interested, of the three check discs sent to me for purposes of this review, Black Gravel played fine in my Region A player, while both Symphony for a Massacre and Cruel Gun Story are locked Region B.

For reviews of the films in this set, please click on the following links:

Black Gravel Blu-ray review

Symphony for a Massacre Blu-ray review

Cruel Gun Story Blu-ray review

World Noir Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality is assessed in the above linked reviews.

World Noir Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality is assessed in the above linked reviews.

World Noir Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

On disc supplements are detailed in the above linked reviews. Radiance sent only check discs for purposes of this review, but their website offers more information on the packaging and included printed material.

World Noir Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

All three of the films in this set probably deserve more recognition, even if some, like Black Gravel, may ultimately be more interesting for their "meta" aspects than for the actual film. Radiance is offering a package with secure technical merits and some really appealing on disc supplements. Recommended.