The 1961 feature Paris Blues, shot on location in Paris with an all-star cast and featuring a superb Oscar-nominated jazz score, written by Duke Ellington, will be released by the BFI in October.

Ram Bowen (Paul Newman) and Eddie Cook (Sidney Poitier) are jazz musicians who live for music. Their Paris is one of underground, smoke-filled jazz bars and the rain-drenched streets of the Left Bank at night. But their carefree idyll is disturbed when two American tourists (Joanne Woodward and Diahann Carroll) enter their lives and, against the backdrop of music and moonlight, they find themselves falling in love.

All too soon, however, romance is put to the test, as the men find themselves torn between their love for the women and their passion for music. Featuring the legendary Louis Armstrong as Wild Man Moore, the film score was written by the incomparable Duke Ellington, who was nominated for an Oscar in 1962. The film was directed by Martin Ritt, who went on to make Hud, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Hombre, The Front and Norma Rae.

Presented in a Dual Format Edition (DVD/Blu-ray discs), it is the latest home entertainment release as part of BFI Black Star, the BFI’s season of film and television screenings, special events, and DVD/Blu-ray/VoD releases, all dedicated to celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors.

Paris Blues will be released on UK dual format (Blu-ray and DVD) by the BFI on 24th October 2016 at the RRP of £19.99.

Special features:

• Audio commentary by Adrian Martin

• Stills gallery

• Isolated music and effects track

• Original trailer

• Illustrated booklet with essays by Nicolas Pillai, Rashida K Braggs and Philip Kemp; and full film credits