Relating old and new tales from the war

Two foreign-language films set during World War II that dazzled critics last year -- “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Army of Shadows” -- make their DVD debuts today with spectacular two-disc sets for the discerning cineaste.

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro’s gothic fairy tale, “Pan’s Labyrinth” (New Line, $35), which takes place in the oppressive Fascist Spain of 1944, revolves around a sensitive young girl (Ivana Baquero) who escapes from the brutality of the life around her -- and her sadistic army captain stepfather -- through an eerie fantasy world.

Nominated for the best foreign-language film Oscar, “Pan’s” won Academy Awards for makeup, art direction and cinematography.

The two-disc set of “Pan’s” features thought-provoking extras, including inspired documentaries on the lengthy conception of the project -- Del Toro began jotting down ideas and sketches for the story in the early 1990s -- the creation of the faun and the fairies, and the use of color in the film to show the difference between the real world and the fantasy universe.

Also included is an installment of PBS’ “The Charlie Rose Show,” which features Del Toro; pages from Del Toro’s notebook with explanations from the filmmaker; and production sketches. Del Toro also offers a video prologue to the film and sharp and incisive commentary.

Jean-Pierre Melville’s soaring “Army of Shadows” (Criterion, $40) made numerous 10-best lists and received the best foreign-language film award from the New York Film Critics Circle.

“Army of Shadows,” long considered one of the masterpieces of Melville’s career, took 37 years after its release in France to make its way to the United States.

Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Simone Signoret star in this haunting tale of the French Resistance in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.

Extras include revelatory interviews with cinematographer Pierre Lhomme, who supervised the high-definition digital transfer of the 2004 restoration, and editor Francoise Bonnot; archival video excerpts of on-set footage, as well as interviews with Melville, cast members and real resistance fighters; a candid 2006 French documentary on Melville and the film; and a 1944 documentary short “The Journal of the Resistance,” narrated by Noel Coward, that was shot on the front lines during the final days of German occupation.

The only weak link is the dry, overly analytical commentary from film historian Ginette Vincendeau.

Also new

“Stomp the Yard” (Sony, $29): Stepping, a popular and traditional form of dancing among African American fraternities and sororities, is given its just due in this drama starring Columbus Short, Meagan Good and Brian J. White.

Although the plot line is hackneyed and the acting is less than stellar, the dance sequences are exhilarating, especially the opening 10 minutes. Extras include an above-average “making of” documentary, a gag reel and compelling commentary from director Sylvain White.

“La Revue des Revues” (Kino, $25): Josephine Baker -- the legendary St. Louis-born, Harlem-raised toast of Paris -- shimmies and struts her stuff in two wild and crazy numbers in this 1927 silent musical that was recently restored by Serge Bromberg and his Lobster Films.

“The War Tapes” (Docurama, $27): Three American National Guardsmen in Iraq -- Sgt. Steve Pink, Sgt. Zack Bazzi and Spc. Mike Moriarty -- film their lives on the front line in this riveting documentary. Extras include outtakes and deleted scenes, candid follow-up interviews with the three men and combat footage

“Banacek -- The First Season” (Hart Sharp, $30): George Peppard plays a coolly successful Polish American private eye who scores big bucks from insurance companies for solving complex crimes involving stolen property in this enjoyable detective series that aired as part of the “NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie” from 1972 to 1974.

“Tex Avery’s Droopy -- The Complete Theatrical Collection” (Warner, $27): Two-disc set featuring the legendary animator’s creation -- a slow-moving, but brilliant basset hound that sounds a lot like Truman Capote. Extras include a retrospective documentary on Avery, as well as a look at the Droopy series’ funniest moments.

And: “Seraphim Falls” (Sony, $27); “Arthur and the Invisibles” (Weinstein, $29); “The Dead Girl” (First Look, $25); “The Fountain” (Warner, $28).

susan.king@latimes.com