Age of Consent Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Age of Consent Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 23, 2019

Michael Powell's "Age of Consent" (1969) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; archival interview with Helen Mirren; archival interview with Michael Powell; featurettes; and more. The release also arrives with a 40-page illustrated booklet with a new essay by Samm Deighan, an overview of contemporary critical responses and historic articles on the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

In the United States Michael Powell's Age of Consent was recently released on Blu-ray by local distributors Mill Creek. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see my colleague Marty Liebman's review of this release here.

Age of Consent Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Michael Powell's Age of Consent arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

There are two presentations of the film on this release: The Film Foundation's 2005 restoration of the original 106-minute Director's Cut, and the 96-minute 1969 Studio Cut. The restored version is obviously preferable, but keep in mind that these versions also use different soundtracks: one by Peter Sculthorpe, and another by Stanley Myers.

The Film Foundation's restoration provides better balanced visuals, with the wider panoramic shots in particular having more pleasing delineation. However, once you start paying attention to the smaller details and nuances it very quickly becomes obvious that there is plenty that could be improved. For example, there is noticeable background flicker. Density levels also fluctuate and there are select parts of the film where the visuals have that rather heavy contrasty look that was quite common on older remasters from the DVD era. Also, background highlights are frequently uneven and at times further exacerbate the overall shaky appearance of the film. Generally speaking, the primary colors look good, but this film could and should have far better ranges of nuances. Folks with larger screens will also easily notice that during the darker footage there is quite a bit of lost shadow definition. All in all, the technical presentation is acceptable, but if redone in 4K by Sony Pictures this film could look far stronger in high-definition. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to access its content regardless of your geographical location).

Age of Consent Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Each of the two versions of the film arrives with a standard English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for both.

The original soundtrack by Peter Sculthorpe was remastered and I think that it sounds very nice now. There is some extremely light buzz that attempts to sneak in when the music becomes prominent, but the rest sounds lovely. The dialog is clean and easy to follow, and there are no dropouts or digital distortions to report.

Age of Consent Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

NOTE: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray release are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players, including the PS3.

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Age of Consent. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• Image Gallery - a large collection of vintage production stills and promotional materials for the film. (1080p).

• The Boy Who Turned Yellow - presented here is Michael Powell's film 1972 film. Remastered. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (54 min, 1080p).

• Down-Under with Ron and Valerie Taylor - in this archival featurette, cinematographers Ron and Valerie Taylor recall their initial encounter and the type of underwater footage they shot at the Great Barrier Reef that was later on used in Age of Consent. The featurette was produced in 2009. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080i).

• Helen Mirren: A Conversation with Cora - in this archival featurette, Helen Mirren discusses the character of Cora that she played in Age of Consent as well as the tone and atmosphere that Michael Powell gave it. The actress also explains how her career evolved over the years. The featurette was produced in 2009. In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).

• Martin Scorsese on Age of Consent - in this archival video piece, Martin Scorsese discusses Age of Consent and Michael Powell's working methods and legacy. The piece was produced in 2009. In English, not subtitled. (6 min, 1080p).

• Making Age of Consent Age of Consent - in this archival featurette, unit manage Kevin Powell, composer composer Peter Sculthorpe, and editor Anthony Buckley recall how they became associated with Age of Consent and discuss their work with Michael Powell. The featurette was produced in 2009. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080i).

• Ian Christie - in this new featurette, Ian Christie, author of Arrows of Desire: The Films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, discusses the conception of Age of Consent and some of the key themes that are tackled in the film. The featurette was produced in 2018 for Indicator/Powerhouse Films. In English, not subtitled. (6 min, 1080p).

• The Guardian Interview -presented here is an archival interview with Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger which was conducted by Ian Christie at the National Film Theatre in London on July 28, 1985. In English, not subtitled. (105 min).

• The Beauty of the Image: The John Player Lecture with Michael Powell - presented here is a recorded archival conversation between Michael Powell and Kevin Gough-Yates that was held at the National Film Theatre in London on January 10, 1971. In English, not subtitled. (85 min).

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by critic Kent Jones in 2009.

• Booklet - a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Samm Deighan, an overview of contemporary critical responses and historic articles on the film.

Age of Consent Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you are looking for the best all-around presentation of Michael Powell's final feature film, Age of Consent, then this Region-Free release from Indicator/Powerhouse Films should be on your radar. It has two versions of the film with two different soundtracks, plus a nice selection of bonus features. However, I have to say that I find the recent restoration that The Film Foundation funded rather underwhelming, and I am a bit surprised to see that it was actually not a project that Sony Pictures tackled. With Grover Crisp in charge of an elaborate 4K restoration, I think that the end result would have been very different. (Last night I viewed The Boy Who Turned Yellow, which is included on the disc, and this film actually looks quite a bit healthier). Anyhow, currently this is the best presentation of the film on the market. RECOMMENDED.