Only a week after the release of the 4K bluray of Diva (You can read that article HERE) Studiocanal and Vintage Cinema have another great French release lined up for film fans and film history fans.
Following on from its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, STUDIOCANAL released a brand new 4K restoration of the masterful LE QUAI DES BRUMES (PORT OF SHADOWS, 1938) from visionary French director Marcel Carné (LE JOUR SE LÈVE) on Blu-Ray & DVD from 13th October. Considered a cornerstone of French poetic realism and a pioneering influence of later film noir and the French New Wave, LE QUAI DES BRUMES is a broodingly atmospheric and visually striking romantic tragedy starring Jean Gabin (LA GRANDE ILLUSION) in the role that helped cement him as a major star, alongside Michèlle Morgan (STORMY WATERS), as doomed lovers whose fleeting happiness is continuously threatened by the inexorable hand of fate.
The new 4K restoration was carried out at the Transperfect laboratory using a combination of the film’s incomplete original negative and a 1938 standard nitrate fine grain. Colour grading referenced a vintage 35mm nitrate print to faithfully capture Eugène Schüfftan’s haunting cinematography and honour Alexandre Trauner’s iconic set design. I’m always so impressed by film restoration teams. I cant imagine how much work goes into making a perfect looking film from an incomplete negative. so two rounds of applause for anyone who helps restore classic films for the modern technology.
Jean (Jean Gabin), a deserter from the Colonial Army, arrives in the misty port of Le Havre, hoping to vanish from the world. Guided by a gentle tramp, he finds refuge by the harbour and meets Nelly (Michèlle Morgan), a young woman caught in her own quiet despair. As love sparks between them, Jean glimpses a chance at redemption. But in the fog-bound streets, fate is always close behind – and just as hope takes root, tragedy strikes.
I’ll admit upfront—I’m no expert on European cinema. My background is mainly in Hollywood, British, and Irish film, so French cinema, especially the pre-New Wave era, isn’t my strong suit. That said, Port of Shadows completely won me over. Released in 1938 and directed by Marcel Carné, the film is often described as an early example of “poetic realism,” though I confess that term went a bit over my head. What I do know is that it’s a beautifully shot, character-driven film filled with atmosphere, emotion, and intrigue.
What makes Port of Shadows stand out is its mood. The film’s misty visuals, expressive shadows, and intimate performances evoke a world teetering between romance and fatalism. There’s a subtle tension throughout—reflecting both the looming Second World War and the personal struggles of its central characters. Interestingly, due to pressure from French authorities at the time, the word “deserter” is never mentioned in the film, and Jean’s uniform is respectfully folded rather than discarded—a small but telling historical detail that I hadn’t noticed until I learned about it when checking out the special features..
The Blu-ray includes four special features, and while that number seems small, the content is pretty substantial. “The Poetry of Misfortune,” a 56-minute documentary, dives deep into the film’s legacy with insights from scholars and filmmakers. “On the Dock” (44 minutes) explores screenwriter Jacques Prévert’s influence, while Jeannette Vincent-Durand’s six-minute introduction provides helpful context for newcomers. There’s also a brief alternative end credits sequence.
Watching Port of Shadows reminded me of the joy of discovering classic cinema beyond the Hollywood bubble. It’s not flashy—no explosions or car chases here—but it’s deeply human and visually mesmerizing. For £14.99, this Studiocanal release is an affordable gateway into a cornerstone of French film history. I may not be a French cinema expert yet, but after this, I’m one film closer—and I’d wholeheartedly recommend Port of Shadows to anyone curious about expanding their horizons.
AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY & DVD FROM 13TH OCTOBER
However even though often I’ll buy a film for its special features, I think on this occasion (and the same with DIVA) this purchase is more about watching cinema history which is why I got myself a copy of the film when it was released. I also completed an unboxing/review of the film for the frompage2screen YouTube channel and you can view that video here.
LE QUAI DES BRUMES is released as part of the Vintage World Cinema collection which showcases iconic world cinema, all fully restored and featuring brand new extra content. The collection includes Fellini’s LA STRADA, Jean-Luc Godard’s BREATHLESS, Luis Buñuel’s BELLE DE JOUR, Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’ECLISSE, Ousmane Sembene’s MANDABI and many more.
STUDIOCANAL, CANAL+’s in-house studio, is one of Europe’s leading film and series studios, with worldwide production and distribution capabilities. It operates directly in nine major European markets including Austria, Benelux, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, and offices in the United States and China. STUDIOCANAL finances, produces, and distributes 80 films per year. It owns one of the most prestigious catalogues in the world and the largest catalogue of European titles, boasting more than 9 400 titles from 60 countries. With a catalogue spanning 100 years of film history, STUDIOCANAL has invested close to 25 million euros into the 4K restoration of nearly 1 000 classic feature films over the past 7 years.
STUDIOCANAL also produces over 15 series each year, including local creations and premium international co-productions, and distributes its scripted productions and CANAL+ Originals globally (2,000 hours of current and library content in distribution). Projects are produced in-house by STUDIOCANAL or through its worldwide network of production companies, including 2e Bureau, STUDIOCANAL Original, Flab, Kissman, Pernel and Upside in France; Birdie Pictures, Red Production Company, Urban Myth Films, Strong Film & Television, and Sunny March TV in the UK; Bambú Producciones and Te Espero en Marte in Spain; Lailaps Films and STUDIOCANAL Series in Germany; Opus TV in Poland; Sam Productions in Denmark; Dingie in Belgium; and The Picture Company in the United States.
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