Eureka Entertainment release The Love of Jeanne Ney, G.W. Pabst’s epic of Weimar Cinema starring Brigitte Helm, on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK as part of The Masters of Cinema Series. The movie follows a young French woman’s struggle for happiness amid the political turbulence and corruption of post-World War I Europe. It blends a variety of cinematic approaches as it weaves its complex narrative of moral chaos and political upheaval...

The Love of Jeanne Ney is an essential purchase for those studying, or wishing to obtain a greater appreciation of cinema history. For the average Joe, this is not an easy movie to watch, but its visual style and storytelling make for an interesting watch. The film is almost a hundred years old, but seems surprisingly fresh and groundbreaking in some areas even when compared to modern cinema.

It's a silent German movie (original title Die Liebe der Jeanne Ney), which was called Lusts of the Flesh in the UK. It was directed by G. W. Pabst and based on Ilya Ehrenburg's Soviet novel.

If you appreciate cinema's rich and varied global origins then Eureka spoils you by delivering a 1080p presentation of the movie, fully restored with a score by Bernd Thewes. Not only that, but it also includes the alternate US release edition with music by Andrew Earle Simpson. In addition we have a video essay, Too Romantic, Too Ghastly (25 min, 22 sec) by David Cairns and Fiona Watson as well as a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Philip Kemp.

An interesting movie which Eureka lovingly bring back to life for generations of film lovers to appreciate.

8

Nick Smithson