Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Bellman & True Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 9, 2019

Richard Loncraine's "Bellman & True" (1987) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; new interviews with Richard Loncraine, writer Desmond Lowden, and Collin Towns; vintage promotional materials; and more. The release also arrives with an illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by Kevin Lyons, a look at the inspiration behind the film’s title, an archival interview with Bernard Hill, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The expert

I wish to quickly mention a couple of things about the two versions of Bellman & True that are included on this brand new release. In addition to the Theatrical Cut (114 minutes), there is a longer Pre-Release Version (122 minutes) that uses inserts that have been sourced from standard definition materials. I viewed the Theatrical Cut first and I like it better. The opening of the longer version alters the pacing and vibe of the Theatrical Cut rather substantially, and I don’t think that the extra footage syncs well with what comes later on.

Bernard Hill plays a man on the run who has to think fast to stay ahead of some bad characters. But he is with his teenage son (Kieran O’Brien) and somewhere in the heart of London, which makes improvising difficult. After a series of quick maneuvers, the bad characters pick up their target.

In a secluded house somewhere on the outskirts of the city, Hiller, who is apparently a highly skilled systems specialist, is given a disc and told to decode the data on it, which would make it possible for his captors to rob a newly built bank. Having previously stolen the disc for his captors from a brilliant engineer Hiller suggests that this would be an impossible task, but they refuse to listen and instead warn him that he is running out of time.

A lucky guess allows Hiller to deliver the data that the future robbers need, but this does not end his misery. He is promptly told that now he has to use it to hack the bank’s security system, and on the day of the robbery also monitor it closely so that there are no accidental glitches while the vaults are being emptied. But to get the job done, Hiller will also have to be part of the crew that enters the bank.

In the United Kingdom Bellman & True was apparently screened on ITV, broken into three one-hour episodes and featuring additional content that showed more of the preparations before the robbery. However, the Theatrical Cut already shows plenty, and as mentioned earlier some of the additional content that is present on the Pre-Release does not improve the story. If anything, it unnecessarily expands and alters interactions in ways that disrupt the superior pacing of the Theatrical Cut.

The glamour-free atmosphere gives the film quite an edge that all these years later makes it look incredibly fresh. More importantly, the bad characters that Hiller has to work with can easily pass for authentic British nutters that were picked up by the producers of the film and offered an opportunity to show how real heists get planned and executed. (In the early ‘60s and ‘70s the French did several such authentic and edgy crime thrillers while consulting and working with real underground figures like Jose Giovanni. (See Classe Tous Risques and Le Trou). It is fascinating to watch, to say the least.

The film was apparently shot with a modest budget, but it isn’t easy to tell because its visual style reflects perfectly the nature of the action. People move fast and spend time in unattractive areas, and a lot happens when and where there isn’t any sunlight, which is why the entire film looks gloomy and depressing. It is a bit like a modern relative of the classic British ‘kitchen sink’ dramas, only shot in desaturated color.

The cast includes old pros like Derek Newark (his character, the Guv’nor, is on par with some of Ray Winstone’s best), Peter Howell, Ken Bones, John Kavanagh, and Richard Hope.

Bellman & True 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, Richard Loncraine's Bellman & True arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The film looks healthy. However, its density levels can be improved because in a lot of the darker/nighttime footage the grain does not hold particularly well and has a tendency to get a bit noisy. There is also some light black crush that sneaks in, though the original cinematography hides it quite well. The rest looks good. There is still plenty of good depth, clarity is pleasing, and stability is excellent. I like the color grading as well, though I don't have another home video release of the film to make any specific references; I just like the overall balance. There are no traces of sharpening/contrast boosting adjustments. The film also looks clean. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Bellman & True Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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

There are no technical issues to report. The audio is clean, stable, and nicely balanced. Dynamic intensity is also very good, at times even surprisingly so, and whenever Colin Towns' music is given an opportunity to impress the transitions are very good.

Bellman & True Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a remastered trailer for Bellman & True. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p).

• Richard Loncraine: Running in Traffic - in this new video interview, Richard Loncraine recalls his initial impressions of Desmond Lowden's novel, and discusses the production history of Bellman & True, including the original three-part project that was screened on ITV. There are additional interesting comments about some of the stunt work that was done as well. In English, not subtitled. (24 min, 1080p).

• Kieran O'Brien: Just an Adventure - in this new video interview, actor Kieran O'Brien recalls how he was cast to play Hiller's son and his interactions with Richard Loncraine and cast members. In English, not subtitled. (20 min, 1080p).

• Desmond Lowden: Cracking the System - in this new video interview, writer Desmond Lowden and explains how he settled for a career in writing (acting was his first choice), his friendship with director Cy Endfield (Hell Drivers) and an important advice he gave him, and the conception of Bellman & True. There are also some very interesting comments about the technical research that was done for the novel and film. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

• Colin Towns - in this new video interview, composer Collin Towns discusses his involvement with Bellman & True and some of the specific music qualities that he introduced in the soundtrack that he created for the film. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Image Gallery - a collection of promotional materials for the film. (1080p).

• Booklet - a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Kevin Lyons, a look at the inspiration behind the film's title, an archival interview with Bernard Hill, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

Bellman & True Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I think that Bellman & True is as good as Mona Lisa, though for different reasons. (Both were produced by HandMade Films, hence the comparison). The most interesting one is that the basic concept behind it actually isn't any different than the one that a few decades earlier French directors used for a number of crime films that are now considered genre classics, such as Classe Tous Risques and Le Trou. Richard Loncraine sets his film in a different era and gives it a distinct British flavor, but the type of entertainment it offers is basically the same. I really, really liked this film, and I think that it is one of the best acquisitions Indicator/Powerhouse Films have made to date. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.