Sam Fuller Trio in September
21 July 2007

There can't be a cult film fan who doesn't know the name or work of Sam Fuller, although it wasn't always the way - for years his work went under-appreciated until younger directors such as Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme and Bertrand Tavernier began making others aware of the influence his films had on their own style (other fans include Jim Jarmush, Wim Wenders and, of course, Quentin Tarantino).

Director of 31 films and writer of 20 more, Fuller's films have had somewhat sporadic coverage on DVD, but in September Optimum are looking to improve matters a little - in the UK at least - with the release of three of his early films on DVD, all of which are making their UK DVD premiere.

Fixed Bayonets! (1951) tells the story of a rag-tag regiment of supposed veterans left behind to fight a rearguard action for a retreating platoon during the Korean War. Amongst the motley group is Corporal Denno (Richard Baseheart), wetter behind the ears than most and unable to bring himself to shoot an enemy soldier. However as one by one his colleagues fall, he must step up and take responsibility for those who are left. Loosely based on the novel by John Brophy, Fixed Bayonets! is a tightly constructed and suspenseful war movie that features the film debut of a certain James Dean in an uncredited bit part as a GI.

Hell and High Water (1954) features Richard Widmark as ex-Navy officer Capt. Adam Jones, who is hired by a privately financed expedition to transport a nuclear scientist to Alaska, where it is believed the Red Chinese plan to start World War 3 by dropping a nuclear bomb on Korea from an American plane. Despite doubts about the political motivations of his employers and his own disinterest in becoming involved in world conflicts any more, Jones joins the party. Personal tensions - there's a woman on board, for heaven's sake! - and some well executed battle scenes lift Hell and High Water above the standard cold war actioner.

One of the first American productions shot exclusively in Japan, House of Bamboo (1954) features Robert Stack as Eddie Kenner, undercover agent for the American military police, who is sent to infiltrate a gang of criminal ex-GIs run by the ruthless Sandy Dawson (Robert Ryan) to investigate the death of one of their members. Aided by a falsified criminal record, Kenner ingratiates himself with Dawson, and begins work on bringing about the gang's downfall. Another Fuller film with a recognisable face in the extras, this time DeForest Kelley, Doc McCoy of Star Trek.

Hell & High Water abd House of Bamboo will feature 2.35:1 transfers - despite a similar claim for Fixed Bayonets! in the press info, we're assuming this will have the original aspect ration of 1.33:1. All three films will apparently have Dolby stereo soundtracks. They will be released individual on 3rd September 2007 at the RRP of £12.99 each.