Sirocco (Standard Edition) [Blu-ray] [1951]

Everett Sloane + Marta Toren + Lee J. Cobb carry the film along splendidly. Syria in 1925, occupied by French colonialism, has added resonance today [i.e., what country will replace the French in our time & what price will be paid?]. Fun to view it as a French colonial problem, with America uninvolved. Bogart punches his time card, but is still fun to watch. Additional rewards are savouring a film prior to the revolution of the 60s & 70s, prior to Scorcese & the independent producers and directors. The restored print is laser sharp, the soundtrack is crisp, there are moody Syrian streets at night glistening and wet, and there are subtitles. It’s a great relaxing evening for those who yearn for the old b&w films and their simplicities. I watch it repeatedly.