Alfie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Alfie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 7, 2021

Lewis Gilbert's "Alfie" (1966) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include new program with journalist and author Matthew Sweet; new video essay by critic Kat Ellinger; archival video program with the director; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The love supplier

Even today, it is not at all difficult to understand why Lewis Gilbert’s Alfie created such massive ripple effects amongst those who saw it in the early ‘60s. Consider for a moment what it must have felt like having Michael Caine step in front of Gilbert’s camera, look straight into it, and unload Alfie's truths about women (or ‘birds’ as he prefers to call them) and his chosen lifestyle. Consider how he delivers these truths as well, because this is just as important. It does not matter whether what Alfie was saying was true or not. The crucial point is that he was connecting with all kinds of different folks. Some undoubtedly agreed with him. Some did not, and quite a few probably found him repulsive. And then there were those that were simply astonished that an ordinary bloke like Alfie dared to do what he did.

But what exactly was Alfie saying that caught everyone’s attention?

Bill Naughton adapted his own play, so it is fair to speculate that Gilbert and Caine had to meet certain expectations, and if they were not ready to do it, the film likely would not have materialized. Why is this important? It is important because Caine’s transformation is a very accurate replica of the character from Naughton’s play, and this bloke isn’t at all easy to embrace. In fact, most of the time it feels wrong to do it. In the film, Alfie isn’t just a straight shooter either, he is a doer as well, and the fact that he is a working-class bloke who cuts through established societal norms like a hot knife through butter is quite the attention-grabber. Yes, eventually his point of view changes, and he begins to see the people around him slightly differently, but when the final credits roll it isn’t crystal clear if his philosophy of life has changed dramatically. It seems like he is just about to enter a new phase of it where he will simply have to adjust his game.

The game is simple. Alfie uses his charm to impress his targets and at the right time gets them in bed. In fact, a bed isn’t always required, and most of the time, while pursuing and servicing his targets, Alfie actually seems much more interested in talking to the camera so that the audience does not get the mechanics of his game wrong. He sums it up as a supply-and-demand process, with him always supplying what the other side secretly demands. His words are often too cynical, but oddly refreshing as well. Why refreshing? Because he is so transparent that any self-respecting woman could instantly figure out his intentions and reject him on the spot.

How come Alfie’s game remains so successful for so long, then? Since the film was released in the early ‘60s, two answers have been used to explain the enigma. The first cites as a factor the evolving socio-cultural landscape of the country and the opportunities that apparently emerged for blokes like Alfie. It is a safe answer that essentially profiles him as a relic, a temporary cultural anomaly that was destined to self-destruct. The second answer speculates that Alfie’s monologues featured some real eye-opening truths about the ways the two sexes see and treat each other. There is a slightly different variation of this answer that does not even mention the eye-opening bit, it simply emphasizes the fact that Alfie was brave enough to spell them out for the masses.

The only part of the film that is impossible to dissect in multiple ways is the finale. Indeed, while in the end it may not be crystal clear whether Alfie’s philosophy of life has evolved, it is very easy to conclude what the future holds for him. He will be around a little longer and use his old tricks to take advantage of his targets, but his replacement is inevitable. It is irrelevant whether Alfie realizes it, or whether he is prepared to come to terms with his dwindling appeal, because his age isn’t just a number. It has been his most attractive quality.

Alfie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.36:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Alfie arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The master that was used to produce this release was prepared a while ago. However, even though the visuals look slightly 'thicker' than they should, the overall appearance of the film is still very solid and convincing. For example, close-ups and most panoramic vistas boast good to very good delineation and clarity. Yes, some darker nuances can be better defined, plus overall shadow definition can be better balanced as well, but there is still plenty to see, even during nighttime footage with very dark bavgrounds. (The 'thicker' appearance leaves the impression that an interpositive might have been the source for the current master, which is actually unclear). Additionally, color balance is very nice. In certain areas saturation can be improved, but you are not going to encounter odd and distracting anomalies that often pop up on very old masters. Generally speaking, the primaries and the supporting nuances are balanced very well. There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments, which is undoubtedly the reason why the film has an attractive organic appearance. Debris, cuts, damage marks, and other notable age-related imperfections have been removed as best as possible. Image stability is very good. So, while you will recognize that the film can look fresher in high-definition, this is very fine technical presentation with solid organic qualities. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Alfie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) and English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit). Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

I viewed the film with the LPCM 2.0 track and only tested a few segments with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I liked it a lot. It is very clear, sharp, and nicely balanced. It does not have any signs of aging either, which means that when the current master was prepared it was cleaned up and optimized as best as possible. The 5.1 does open up the film a bit, mostly during mass footage (like the bar brawl) and in areas where the music become prominent. But I did not view the entire film with it and can't tell if there is an overall significant improvement.

Alfie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• My Generation - also included in this two-disc set is David Batty's lovely documentary My Generation, which comes with another selection of bonus feature. For additional information on this release, please click on the link above.

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Alfie. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Kat Ellinger on Alfie - in this new video essay, critic Kat Ellinger discusses the production of Alfie, its themes and cultural significance. Also, there are interesting comments addressing the evolution of the British New Wave. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• Matthew Sweet on Alfie - in this new video program, journalist and author Matthew Sweet discusses the conception of Alfie, the casting of Michael Caine (and his relationship with Terence Stamp who was considered for the same part as well), Alfie's personality and philosophy of life, the exact moment in which Lewis Gilbert completed the film, etc. In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• Lewis Gilbert at the London National Theatre (1995) - in this archival program, Lewis Gilbert discusses in great detail the evolution of his career and the British film industry after WW2. There are various interesting observations about specific films he directed as well, including Alfie. The program begins with an introduction by Michael Caine. In English, not subtitled. (82 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Jo Botting and Melanie Williams.

Alfie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Nine out of ten times what stands between an unabashed cynic and an outspoken truth-teller is only a simple preference for words. In Lewis Gilbert's Alfie, Michael Caine plays a working-class bloke who can be both, if you choose to listen to his monologues and observe his actions from different angles. This bloke is awfully difficult to like, but Caine's performance is extraordinary and absolutely impossible not to admire. I am unsure what British cinema would have looked like without it. Had Terence Stamp agreed to do the film with Gilbert, I think it is fair to speculate that Caine would not have become the iconic star he is, and all kinds of huge genre films would not have been made. This is why Alfie is such a phenomenon -- it is brilliant, but the ripple effects it produced were much bigger than it. In addition to Alfie, the two-disc box set we have reviewed here includes David Batty's lovely documentary My Generation, which has its own selection of bonus features. Fantastic release. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.