Hollywood, CA – April 3, 2026 – Pre-orders for “The Big Combo” (1955) 70th Anniversary 4K Restoration from Ignite Films and Eagle Rock Pictures were launched in January of 2026 at Ignite Films, and the film will be available this month, jointly announced Jan Willem Bosman Jansen of Ignite Films and Jim Quan of Eagle Rock Pictures.
A cornerstone of American film noir, “The Big Combo” remains one of the genre’s most visually striking and uncompromising works. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis (“Gun Crazy”), the film follows obsessive police lieutenant Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde) as he wages a personal crusade against the elusive and sadistic crime boss Mr. Brown (Richard Conte).
Driven by equal parts justice and desire, Diamond’s pursuit draws him into the shadows of a corrupt city, and into the orbit of Brown’s cool, haunted mistress, Susan Lowell (Jean Wallace, Wilde’s real-life wife). As Diamond descends deeper, the line between duty and obsession blurs, culminating in one of noir’s most chilling confrontations. The film also stars Brian Donlevy and a stellar supporting cast that features Lee Van Cleef, Earl Holliman, and Helen Walker.
“‘The Big Combo’ is another gem in the Ignite Films collection, written by Philip Yordan. Movies that made an impact and are long overdue for a full restoration treatment. Now they look how they were intended, and film noir never looked better,” said Jan Willem Bosman Jansen, CEO and Founder of Ignite Films.
Celebrated for its bold cinematography by John Alton and its daring depiction of psychological and physical cruelty, “The Big Combo” shattered taboos of its time and influenced generations of filmmakers, from Scorsese to Tarantino. Presented here in a stunning 4K restoration for its 70th anniversary, this is “The Big Combo” as it has never been seen before: raw, sensual, and remarkably modern.
This digital restoration of “The Big Combo” was undertaken by Ignite Films, working from a 35mm Fine Grain Answer Print and a 35mm Optical Sound Negative. The picture was restored in 4K by The Grainery, while the audio was sourced from a UCLA restoration funded by The Film Foundation. The color grading was carried out by Gosia Grzyb under the supervision and approval of Scott MacQueen.
“The Big Combo 70th Anniversary Restoration” is available in 4 Editions.
All editions include the bonus feature film “The Crooked Way,”
with cinematography by John Alton. The four editions are:
- Premium Steelbook – New Artwork (Limited Edition, with slipcover)
Premium Steelbook featuring exclusive newly commissioned artwork. Includes a 3-disc set (UHD + 2 Blu-rays), a specially curated booklet, 5 lobby cards, and the complete bonus feature collection.
UHD Disc: The Big Combo + all newly produced extras
Blu-ray Disc 1: The Big Combo + all newly produced extras
Blu-ray Disc 2: Legacy extras + The Crooked Way - Premium Vintage Steelbook – Original Poster (Limited Edition, with slipcover)
Premium Vintage Steelbook featuring original poster artwork. Includes a 3-disc set (UHD + 2 Blu-rays), a specially curated booklet, 5 lobby cards, and the complete bonus feature collection.
UHD Disc: The Big Combo + all newly produced extras
Blu-ray Disc 1: The Big Combo + all newly produced extras
Blu-ray Disc 2: Legacy extras + The Crooked Way - 4K UHD Standard Edition (Reversible Artwork, with Slipcover)
A 2-disc UHD + Blu-ray set presenting the complete 4K restoration, newly produced bonus features, and a specially curated booklet.
UHD Disc: The Big Combo + all newly produced extras
Blu-ray Disc: Legacy extras + The Crooked Way - Blu-ray Standard Edition (Reversible Artwork, with Slipcover)
A 2-disc HD Blu-ray set presenting the complete restoration, a specially curated booklet, five lobby cards, and the complete bonus feature collection.
Blu-ray Disc 1: The Big Combo + all newly produced extras
Blu-ray Disc 2: Legacy extras + The Crooked Way
Languages: German, Latin, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, French, Dutch, Portuguese
Region: All discs are region-free (UHD + Blu-rays)
Restoration
This digital restoration of “The Big Combo” was undertaken by Ignite Films, working from a 35mm Fine Grain Answer Print and a 35mm Optical Sound Negative. The picture was restored in 4K by The Grainery, while the audio was sourced from a UCLA restoration funded by The Film Foundation. The color grading was carried out by Gosia Grzyb under the supervision and approval of Scott MacQueen.
Newly Produced Bonus Features:
- New Audio Commentary with acclaimed film historian and noir expert Imogen Sara Smith.
- New Interview with celebrated author and critic Philippe Garnier.
- How a Man Makes a Living — How a Little Combo Made The Big Combo: New video essay by Scout Tafoya.
- The Crooked Way (1949) – Another brutal noir with spectacular expressionistic cinematography by John Alton, with unfiltered filming on the 1940s post-war streets of Los Angeles.
Legacy Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary with Eddie Muller, the “Czar of Noir” and founder of the Film Noir Foundation.
- Geoff Andrew, respected critic and curator, on The Big Combo.
- Wagon Wheel Joe: A fascinating video appreciation of Lewis’s dynamic camerawork and recurring motifs, tracing his evolution from B-movie craftsman to master stylist.
Booklet
- Art in a Boiling Pot: New written introduction by Eddie Muller.
- Commissioned essays by Ben Sachs, Alonso Duralde, Katie Stebbins, Scout Tafoya, and Garrett Clayton.
THE BIG COMBO 70th Anniversary 4K Restoration had its World Premiere on the silver screen April 27, 2025, at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, and received rave reviews.
Ignite Films, the Dutch company formed by Jan Willem Bosman Jansen, has lived up to its motto, “Classics for the Future,” by acquiring classic film packages and copyrights, and distributing the titles through creative and far-reaching deals. Since 2016, Lionsgate has handled worldwide distribution of Ignite Films’ film catalog. The 4K Ultra HD restoration of “Invaders From Mars” was the first title to be manufactured and distributed by Ignite Films itself, along with Eagle Rock Pictures.
Their 70th Anniversary 4K UHD restoration and release of “Invaders From Mars” was met with universal acclaim from fans and critics worldwide, and was honored with many awards, including the 2024 SATURN Award® for Best Classic Film Home Media Release. The release also won the Best Rediscovery of a Forgotten Film from the Il Cinema Ritrovato DVD Awards ®2023 and the Hollywood Professional Association’s Inaugural Jury Award® for Outstanding Achievement in Restoration.
Their 40th Anniversary 4K UHD restoration and release of “Re-Animator” was nominated for the 2026 SATURN Award® for Best Classic Film Home Media Release. The “Bride of Re-Animator” 4K UHD restoration will be released in June 2026 by Ignite Films and Eagle Rock Pictures.
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