Cecile Is Dead Limited Edition Blu-Ray (Region B)

Region: B
Runtime: 82 minutes
Language: French
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: Mono

An unsung master of French cinema meets one of the greatest writers of detective fiction in Cécile Is Dead, as director Maurice Tourneur (The Devil’s Hand) adapts a classic crime story by Georges Simenon.

Simenon’s legendary detective Inspector Maigret appeared in 75 novels and 28 short stories over five decades, inspiring countless radio, film, and television adaptations. In this film, Tourneur delivers one of the finest cinematic portrayals of the character.

Inspector Maigret (Albert Préjean) of the Paris police has grown frustrated with the frequent visits of Cécile Pardon (Santa Relli), who repeatedly claims that someone is breaking into the home she shares with her elderly aunt late at night. Preoccupied with investigating a gang of counterfeiters, Maigret initially dismisses her concerns as exaggerated.

But events take a shocking turn when Cécile is found murdered—inside the very police station where she had come seeking help.

One of three Inspector Maigret films produced in occupied France during World War II, Cécile Is Dead features striking noir-influenced cinematography by Pierre Montazel, art direction by Guy de Gastyne (who worked with Marcel L’Herbier and René Clair), and a score by Roger Dumas, who also composed the music for Tourneur’s The Devil’s Hand.

The Masters of Cinema Series proudly presents this French crime classic on Blu-ray, marking its first-ever home video release in the UK.

Special Features

• Limited edition O-card slipcase with new artwork by Sean Phillips

• Collector’s booklet

• Audio commentary by Sergio Angelini (crime cinema expert / podcast host)

• Documentary: My Friend Maigret

• Introduction to the film by Christine Leteux (author)