The Road to Shame (Blu-ray)

In "The Road to Shame" (Des femmes disparaissent), a gripping tale of love and resilience unfurls against the backdrop of the darker facets of society. The story follows Béatrice, portrayed by Estella Blain, whose decision to mingle with affluent playboys spirals into unforeseen peril. Her fiancé, Pierre, played by the compelling Robert Hossein, trails her into this treacherous world, only to uncover a nefarious web of organized crime. The narrative takes a darker turn as Pierre, ensnared by the gang's henchmen, is subjected to threats, violence, and wrongful accusations of murder.

Undeterred by the daunting challenges and the looming shadow of a false murder charge, Pierre's resolve only hardens. His unwavering determination to dismantle the criminal empire, rescue Béatrice from the clutches of sex trafficking, and cleanse his name embodies the quintessence of hardboiled cinema. Set in the late 1950s, a period often eclipsed by the luminaries of the nouvelle vague, this film by Édouard Molinaro stands as a testament to the era's genre filmmaking prowess.

Thanks to a meticulous restoration effort supported by the Centre National du Cinema, "The Road to Shame" has been revived in exquisite detail, inviting audiences to delve into a compelling narrative that intertwines the grit of hardboiled cinema with the stylistic nuances of post-noir European film. This restoration not only breathes new life into the film but also paves the way for a reevaluation of the contributions of filmmakers like Molinaro, who have remained underappreciated in the annals of cinematic history.

Complementing this cinematic revival is an insightful audio commentary by film historian Adrian Martin, providing rich context and shedding light on the intricate layers of the narrative and its significance within the broader spectrum of genre filmmaking. This feature adds depth to the viewing experience, offering audiences a holistic understanding of the film's place in the tapestry of European cinema.