Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Adventures of a Private Eye Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 17, 2022

Stanley Long's "Adventures of a Private Eye" (1977) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include archival audio commentary with the director; new program with author and filmmaker Simon Sheridan; Jan Manthey's short "Can You Keep It Up with This, That and the Other for a Week?"; promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

"Is it getting hard?" Pardon?" "Finding work."

Was replacing Barry Evans with Christopher Neil a smart decision? Well, if Stanley Long’s biographer, Simon Sheridan, is to be believed, it appears that it was the only possible decision because Evans was an extremely difficult actor to work with and at the time a lot of people simply could not tolerate him. This is likely old news on the other side of the Atlantic, but it was something I was completely unaware of. In Adventures of a Taxi Driver Evans looks like the kind of guy that could be friends with anyone, possibly even the life of a party. It is because he was acting a part, wasn’t it? Well, yes, but sometimes an actor’s true personality is easily revealed through the parts he chooses. Apparently, this was not the case with Evans, which was why Long did not bring him back for Adventures of a Private Eye.

So, what was lost with Evans’ departure? According to Sheridan again, not much. In fact, Sheridan claims that Adventures of a Private Eye is the best film in the trilogy because it had the strongest screenplay and Long was fully in control of the production. In other words, Evans’ departure apparently made it easier for everyone to be creative in all the ways that usually ensure a good final product. Sheridan is correct to point out that there is definitely greater creativity on display in Adventures of a Private Eye, but I can’t quite agree with him that it is the best film in the trilogy. There are a couple of reasons why:

Neil has a different personality, which rather predictably shapes up the identity of Adventures of a Private Eye in a new way. For example, if you compare the crucial moments where Neil and Evans look straight into Long’s camera and begin addressing the audience, you will immediately realize that they are just not the same. The connection still materializes, but in Adventures of a Taxi Driver it is a lot more casual and ultimately more effective. Neil leaves the impression that he is managing his character, too. He does it well, but this changes the nature of the fun in Adventures of a Private Eye and a lot begins to look scripted. (Clearly, this is why Sheridan states that it is a better scripted film. But this does not automatically mean that it is a better film). Evans handles his character very differently and as a result the overwhelming majority of the material in Adventures of a Taxi Driver looks spontaneous. This happens to be the exact reason why Adventures of a Taxi Driver is quite effective as a time capsule as well.

The sexy material in Adventures of a Private Eye is different, too. First, there is less of it and it is primarily filler material that simply spices up Neil’s troubles. After the beautiful Suzy Kendall offers him the impressive amount of £ 50,000 to find out who is secretly blackmailing her just days before she is supposed to inherit a fortune, Neil goes to the countryside to do the job and then the fireworks begin. He remains focused on the job and there is a lot more straightforward humor, which means that sexual distractions do not quite match up the ones from Adventures of a Taxi Driver.

My final verdict on Adventures of a Private Eye is that it does work as intended but remains a bit more civilized than its famous predecessor. I feel that it was conceived to impress a larger audience too, which why its comedy is ultimately better scripted and controlled. Also, I prefer Evans over Neil, but not because the former is a better actor. I think that Evans is simply a slightly better fit for the fireworks the Adventures films are expected to deliver.

*There are old reports that Evans apparently declined an official offer to appear in Adventures of a Private Eye because of another engagement. Clearly, they contradict what Sheridan has to say about Evans, his personality, and working methods. However, I think that the true story is pretty easy to assemble from the information Sheridan shares on this release.

Adventures of a Private Eye Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Adventures of a Private Eye arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

I like the overall appearance of Adventures of a Private Eye a little bit better than that of Adventures of a Taxi Driver. There are still plenty of areas that look dated, but overall the visuals have a more consistent organic appearance and the color grading job is better. Of course, if fully restored the film will look fresher and more attractive, but my point is that the current master is pretty decent and despite numerous limitations provides a healthy organic presentation. What are some of the weaknesses of this master? Delineation and clarity can fluctuate a bit and not because the original cinematography demands that they do. Grain exposure isn't optimal, though it is clearly better than that observed on Adventures of a Taxi Driver. (I am not referring to the complexion of the grain there, which is from a 16mm element and often looks different in some very particular ways). Color balance can be improved as well, especially during daylight footage where some of the primaries are clearly a bit off. (See screencapture#2). The rest is fine, just as not as fresh and vibrant as it should be. Image stability is good, too. (Note: This is s Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Adventures of a Private Eye Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not encounter any serious technical issues to report in our review. The dialog is clear and easy to follow. There are some areas with small unevenness, but all of the Adventures films were shot with plenty of organic sounds and noises that could destabilize things a bit. Can the audio be better? Yes, I think so, but not by a lot. I think that if it is fully remastered the main improvement will be a slightly better rounded and cleaner audio.

Adventures of a Private Eye Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage theatrical trailer for Adventures of a Private Eye. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Super Version - presented here is a shorter Super 8 version of Adventures of a Private Eye. In 1.33:1 ratio. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (16 min).

• Stanley by Simon - in this new program, Simon Sheridan, Stanley Long's biographer, discusses the production of the Adventures films, Long's career and legacy, and how his work impacted the British film industry. The program was produced in 2022. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• The BEHP Interview with Stanley Long: Part Two - presented here is an excerpt from an archival audio interview with Stanley Long that was conducted on November 24 and 26, 1999. The late director discusses his background and work. In English, not subtitled. (92 min).

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary with director Stanley Long was recorded in 2008. Like the other commentary that is included on the Adventures of a Taxi Driver release, it offers plenty of information about the production of Adventures of a Private Eye, the film's reception, the quality of its humor, etc.

• Image Gallery - a collection of original promotional materials for Adventures of a Private Eye.

• Can You Keep It Up with This, That and the Other for a Week? (2004) - a short film directed by Jan Manthey that pays homage to the British sex comedies of the seventies. The film can be seen with an audio commentary by the director. A small collection of stills is included as well. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (16 min).

• Booklet - an exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Simon Sheridan, archival interviews with Stanley Long and actor-composer Christopher Neil, a letter from the producers complaining about the Adventures films' treatment in the British press, newspaper articles on the controversy surrounding the casting of Elaine Paige in Adventures of a Plumber's Mate while she was starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, a look at the three films' novelizations, an overview of contemporary critical responses, Jan Manthey on his short films, and film credits.

• Poster - see screenshots.

Adventures of a Private Eye Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Without Barry Evans Adventures of a Private Eye has a different vibe that makes most of the sexual fireworks a bit less attractive. However, I would agree with Simon Sheridan that it is a better scripted and better polished film, so there is an excellent chance that you will enjoy it more. I prefer Adventures of a Taxi Driver because it has more dated raw content that transforms it into a pretty interesting time capsule as well. Adventures of a Taxi Driver and Adventures of a Private Eye are included in Indicator/Powerhouse Films' Stanley Long's Adventures: A Seventies Sex Comedy Threesome, a three-disc box set. An identical North American three-disc box set is available and we have it listed here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.