The Criterion Collection’s ‘Eclipse Series 5: The First Films of Samuel Fuller’ Lands October Release

Samuel Fuller, a revered filmmaker who described his movies as “yarns,” is spotlighted once again by The Criterion Collection with a new release. Eclipse Series 5: The First Films of Samuel Fuller, a two-disc Blu-ray collection, streets on October 13. The movies in the set include I Shot Jesse James, The Baron of Arizona, and The Steel Helmet.

Samuel Fuller made his feature directing debut with I Shot Jesse James. Producer Robert L. Lippert contacted Fuller through a secretary who worked for the publishers of his pulp novel The Dark Page. Lippert agreed to let Fuller write and direct the movie, which featured John Ireland in the lead role of Bob Ford. “The time constraints and small budget made I Shot Jesse James one of the toughest films I ever did,” recounted Fuller in his autobiography A Third Face. “But I loved every minute of it.”

Released in 1950, The Baron of Arizona starred Vincent Price as James Addison Reaves, a man who tried to coinvce the U.S. government that he owned all of Arizona. Fuller pitched the idea to Lippert and they were back in business. Celebrated cinematographer James Wong Howe (Seconds) shot the movie for just a fraction of his regular salary. “The camera man is master of his own kingdom,” said Fuller in A Third Face. “I feel the same about the rest of my crew: sound technicians, makeup people, hairdressers, constume designers. We’d discuss the kind of picture I wanted to make. Then I’d give them amble freedom to get the job done.”

Fuller’s collaboration with Lippert continued with The Steel Helmet. The ten day shoot centered on soldiers who were trying their best to survive the brutality of the Korean War. This 1951 feature was the first of five movies that featured actor Gene Evans, one of Fuller’s favorite collaborators.

The Criterion Collection release comes with an essay by film critic Nick Pinkerton.

Eclipse Series 5: The First Films of Samuel Fuller from The Criterion Collection releases October 13. Will you be purchasing this collection? Share your thoughts in the comments!