The most exciting release of the month is “Mr. Topaze” (Film Movement Classics), which is Peter Sellers’ long-lost 1961 directorial debut!

The Blu-ray/DVD (your choice) is available for the first time ever in North America and is newly restored from the lone surviving 35mm print.

The comedy costars Herbert Lom, Leo McKern and Nadia Gray. The plot revolves around a French schoolmaster who loses his job by being too honest and acting with integrity; he refuses to change the failing grades of one of his students. A corrupt city council member wants to exploit this honesty by hiring him as a managing director for one of his businesses.

Bonus features include Sellers’ 1951 madcap short film “Let’s Go Crazy,” a video essay, an interview with McKern’s daughter, and a 24-page booklet.

More titles

“300” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), that epic 2017 action-adventure film about King Leonidas’ 300 Spartan warriors at the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, makes its way to Ultra HD Blu-ray combo pack and digital.

“Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite!” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) is the latest feature installment of the popular franchise. A villain manipulates cats and dogs into conflict, and it’s up to a team to use their old-school animal instincts to restore order and bring peace. Voice talent includes Melissa Rauch, Max Greenfield and George Lopez.

“The Soul of the Midnight Special” (Time Life) is a five-DVD set featuring more than 70 historic live performances, many of which have never been previously unavailable. This DVD set had me at Curtis Mayfield, but adding Gladys Knight and the Pips, Chaka Khan, Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye to the fray only magnifies how awesome this title is.