Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

All the Right Noises Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 26, 2009

Gerry O’Hara’s “All the Right Noises” (1969) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the British Film Institute (BFI). The film has been transferred in High Definition from a preservation status 35mm combined print. It has also been carefully graded and color-balanced, but the source print’s inherent green is still noticeable throughout the film. The Blu-ray disc also contains director O’Hara’s rare and little-seen short film “The Spy’s Wife” (1972) as well as an archival interview with Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. A 34-page illustrated booklet with newly commissioned contributions from film historian Robert Murphy, Gerry O’Hara, and producer Julian Holloway compliments the release. All of the supplemental materials are perfectly playable on North American players. Region-Free.

Olivia Hussey and Tom Bell

I cannot even begin to imagine the type of criticism a married man in his mid-30s would be bombarded with if he admitted to being in a relationship with a 15 ½ -year old girl. I suspect that there would be all sorts of insinuations about his mental health and, eventually, loud and dismissive statements urging that he is singled out from the rest of us. More or less, I believe that the man would become a target for the rest of his life.

In British director Gerry O’Hara’s All the Right Noises, however, a married man in his mid-30s, Len (Tom Bell, The Krays), does meet a 15 ½ -year old girl, Val (Olivia Hussey, William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet). The two begin to see each other and spend time together. As time goes by, they discover that they have plenty in common.

Len is a happily married man. He has two kids and a wife, Joy (Judy Carne), who adores him. He needs them and they most definitely need him, but he also desires Val. The more time he spends with her, however, the more he begins to realize that their relationship has no future.

Val cannot stop thinking about Len. However, she also realizes that their relationship has no future. Eventually, she tells Len: “You’ll always be what I wanted – for later…” Len understands exactly what Val means and does what he believes is best for both of them – puts an end to their relationship.

The central question All the Right Noises poses is, can a 15 ½ -year old girl be genuinely loved by a man twice her age? The creators of the film are not concerned with whether or not we approve of such a relationship, they simply wonder whether or not it is likely to survive. There are absolutely no moralistic debates or cheap exploitation overtones in their film.

We see the main protagonists together as much as we see them alone. This allows us to understand better their emotions and feelings. At times, their silent faces tell us a lot more about them than their words do. Under different circumstances, these emotions and feelings would likely be regarded by many of us as typical, but in All the Right Noises they are fascinating to analyze.

The progression of the actual relationship is just as intriguing. What makes it attractive to Val is actually quite similar to what makes it attractive to Len – it provides both with a sense of freedom. Val and Len, however, most certainly perceive freedom differently. They realize that in the very beginning of their relationship, which is precisely the reason why they are not bitterly disappointed with each other later on.

I am convinced that couples like Val and Len exist. I am also convinced that, at one point or another, they must have struggled with a lot of the same dilemmas Val and Len are faced with in All the Right Noises. As the film shows us, however, such relationships are very difficult, almost impossible to preserve. They can also be easily misunderstood.

Some of director O’Hara’s better known films are The Pleasure Girls (1965), The Brute (1977), and, of course, his controversial The Bitch (1979). He is also known for his assistant director work with such iconic figures as Laurence Olivier (Richard III), Carol Reed (Our Man In Havana), Otto Preminger (Exodus), Tony Richardson (Tom Jones), and Terence Young (The Jigsaw Man).

All the Right Noises 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, Gerry O'Hara's All the Right Noises arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the British Film Institute (BFI).

The following description is found in the booklet supplied with this Blu-ray release: "All the Right Noises was transferred in High Definition from a preservation status 35mm combined print. The film has been carefully graded and color-balanced, but the source print's inherent hue can be detected in some scenes. The picture was restored using HD-DVNR and MTI restoration systems, removing dirt, scratches and warps, torn or missing frames and improving stability issues."

I decided to provide the exact description BFI have used to address their Blu-ray transfer so that you know exactly why it looks as it does. Obviously, the fact that they had to use a preservation status 35mm combined print of the film allowed for very little flexibility and drastic quality improvements. As a result, at times All the Right Noises could look a bit soft and not as detailed as some other recent releases we've seen from the British distributors (for example Separation). Nevertheless, the film still looks quite good in 1080p, and, as far as I am concerned, probably the best it could given the above mentioned source limitations.

Contrast and clarity tend to vary a bit. Some of the nighttime scenes could also look a bit soft at times. Most of the daylight scenes, however, look quite pleasing. There are no serious stability issues to report. Yes, there are a few slightly problematic frame transitions, but I personally did not find them distracting at all. Additionally, I did detect a few scratches and flecks, but I must assume that these could not be removed by the restoration technicians at BFI. (Note: This is a Region-Free disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no PAL content preceding the main menu).

All the Right Noises Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English LPCM 2.0 mono. For the record, BFI have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

Generally speaking, there are no serious issues to report with the English LPCM 2.0 track. The dialog is fairly clear and easy to follow. There are no disturbing pops, cracks, or dropouts that I detected. There are no serious balance issues either. Mild hiss is noticeable from time to time. To sum it all up, considering the elements the British Film Institute had to work with, I believe that the audio treatment is more than satisfying.

All the Right Noises Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Interview - an interview with actors Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting from 1967. The interview was shot by broadcaster Bernard Braden for Now and Then, a series that was never completed. The two young actors talk about their collaboration on Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet, and careers. Quite a hilarious interview. (17 min, 1080p).

The Spy's Wife - a short film by director O'Hara from 1972 about a cheating spy and his wife. Transferred in High Definition from a 35mm combined. Subtitled in English. (28 min, 1080p).

Booklet - a 34-page booklet containing the following essays: "All the Right Noises" by Robert Murphy, "Housing Affairs: Property and Reality in All the Right Noises" by William Fowler, "Gerry O'Hara recalls the making of All the Right Noises", "International Intrigue in a London Bedroom: The Spy's Wife" by Vic Pratt, "Producer and co-writer Julian Holloway recalls making The Spy's Wife", and "Bernard Braden's 'Now and Then' interview with Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting" by James Piers Taylor.

All the Right Noises Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I enjoyed Gerry O'Hara's All the Right Noises, the latest addition to BFI's Flipside series, immensely. As previously announced, this is a Region-Free disc whose supplemental features are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players. Recommended.