French tenor saxophonist and jazz composer Barney Wilen is best known for his contributions to soundtracks and has worked amongst jazz giants such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk.

In 1989, he recorded French Story at Studio 44 in The Netherlands together with the Mal Waldron trio, consisting of the jazz pianist Mal Waldron, Stafford James on bass and Eddie Moore on drums. They recorded eight jazz compositions from classic French movies. For example, “Julien Dans L'Ascenseur/Florence Sur Les Champs-Elysées” and “Générique” are original compositions by Miles Davis' famous album Ascenseur Pour L'échafaud. “Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves)” origins from the French film Les Portes de la Nuit and is one of Yves Montand's classic chansons.

Wilen's album was released in 1990 on the Dutch jazz label Timeless Records. In 1992, the album first appeared on vinyl, but only counted six tracks. To celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Timeless Records, the album is being reissued in its entirety and including the tracks “No Problem” and “Quiet Temple”.

French Story (Movie Themes From France) is available as a 2LP limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on white coloured vinyl.