Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Black Joy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 10, 2019

Anthony Simmons' "Black Joy" (1977) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film: new video interviews with cast and crew members; short film by Anthony Simmons; vintage promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

"Every time he go to do it, the machine stops." "Well, that is because the machine is not a fool. The machine's a businessman."

This film works only if you are willing to accept that during the ‘70s immigrants from the former (and current) British colonies in the Caribbean were as naïve as the character that Trevor Thomas plays. Only then it becomes something of an eye-opener. I liked it, and I can see why it meant a lot to plenty of people, but I don’t find its reality authentic.

Shortly after he lands in London, Ben (Thomas) is taken for a ride by ten-year-old Devon (Paul Medford), who gets his inspiration from Dave (Norman Beaton), a veteran con artist with a reputation. Then, at a local hostel, Ben nearly gets separated from his precious suitcase.

While wandering around Brixton Ben finally tracks down Devon in a lousy bistro, and when he attempts to recover his wallet, he meets Dave. The con artist then loans him some of the stolen money that Devon has given him and takes him to a gambling parlor where Lady Luck quickly smiles on them. But Ben is again taken for a ride when he foolishly attempts to rent a decent apartment from a ‘busy landlord’. The terrible experience sends Ben right back to Dave and he begs him to let him crash at his place.

The two roommates quickly warm up to each other and eventually Dave begins teaching Ben how to survive and have a good time in Brixton. Ben proves to be a fast learner and over time even gathers enough confidence to ask Devon’s aunt, Saffra (Dawn Hope), on a date. However, an improvised vacation with Saffra, Dave, and his latest girlfriend makes him realize that in the game of life he is still a rookie without friends that actually care for him.

This upcoming release has various new bonus features in which different people that made Black Joy with director Antony Simmons have a lot of great things to say about it. For example, there is great appreciation for the fact that the film dared to ‘see’ a uniquely British reality that had never been captured in mainstream British cinema. Additionally, Simmons trusted the actors to embrace and improve their characters while relying on past experiences, so there was plenty of creativity that assured them that they could do similar but bigger and better projects in the future. Then the film’s warm reception at the Cannes Film Festival made them believe that they might have initiated a new trend.

The film’s historical significance, however, should not be a tall façade that hides its many shortcomings. The most obvious one is its affection for old clichés that make the key relationships almost completely unbelievable. Thomas’ character for instance is portrayed as a simpleton with such awful instincts that his entire trip to England actually looks utterly suspicious. Then the enlightening that he experiences after he befriends Dave is basically the usual mix of stereotypes about winners and losers from the ghetto, only transported to Brixton from the ‘70s where instead of disco everyone is hooked on reggae.

What saves the film and in fact makes it quite attractive is its low-key but wonderful sense of humor. Beaton has a number of great lines that completely alter the tone of many sequences, plus the manner in which he carries himself is just pitch-perfect for his shady character. Medford also looks very natural and relaxed, though sadly there isn’t enough footage with him. There are also a few supporting actors from the gambling parlor and the night club that are pretty entertaining to watch as they try to appear ‘legit’.

Simmons used the services of cinematographer Phil Meheux, who then went on to lense such classic British films as The Long Good Friday and Scum, and more recent favorites as Entrapment and Casino Royale.

Black Joy 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, Anthony Simmons' Black Joy arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from a very nice remaster. The film looks very healthy and actually impresses with solid depth and density. Some fine nuances are not as nicely exposed as they should be, but there is still plenty to appreciate. The darker/indoor footage is where minor inconsistencies can be observed, but some are also part of the original low-budget cinematography. Colors are stable, nicely balanced, and fresh. There are no traces of problematic digital work. Image stability is excellent. Finally, there are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, torn or warped frames to report in our review. (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).

Black Joy 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 had to turn on the English subtitles because from time to time I just could not understand everything that was being said; the accents are indeed quite heavy. This being said, clarity is very good and there are no balance issues to report. Dynamic intensity is far from impressive, but this is a limitation of the original soundtrack. There are a few instances where the music become a tad thin, but there are no distortions or other similar age-related anomalies.

Black Joy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a remastered trailer for Black Joy. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• The BEHP Interview with Antony Simmons - presented here is an excerpt from an archival interview in which Antony Simmons discusses the different stages of his career and some of the films that defined them. Toward the interview there are also interesting comments about the conception of Black Joy. The interview was conducted by filmmaker Rodney Giesler on September 25, 1997. (95 min).

• Trevor Thomas: Good Stuff - in this new video interview, actor Trevor Thomas recalls his involvement with Black Joy as well as Antony Simmons' directing methods during the production process. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Floella James: A People Story - in this new video interview, actress Floella James recalls how she was cast to play the character of Miriam and comments on the story that Black Joy tells as well as the period in which the film emerged. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Oscar James: Blazing the Trail - in this new video interview, actor Oscar James discusses the character he plays in Black Joy and remembers his interactions with various cast and crew members. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Jamal Ali: Dark Days and Light Nights - in this new video interview, writer/screenwriter Jamal Ali talks about his work and activities during the '70s and discusses the production of Black Joy. In English, not subtitled. (36 min).

• Martin Campbell: Guerilla Operation - in this new video interview, producer Martin Campbell explains how the opportunity to produce Black Joy came to him and discusses the six-week shoot that followed. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Phil Meheux: Slices of Life - in this new video interview, cinematographer Phil Meheux discusses his work on Black Joy. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Benjamin's Brixton - this video piece highlights some of the key locations in Brixton that Trevor Thomas' character visits. With music. (3 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of vintage production materials for the film.

• Bow Bells - Anthony Simmons directed this short film in 1954. In English, with optional English subtitles. (15 min).

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by Josie Dolan, recollections by director Anthony Simmons and star Norman Beaton, Michael Brooke on Bow Bells, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits.

Black Joy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

After viewing the various new interviews that are included on this release, I was left with the impression that I enjoyed Black Joy for all the wrong reasons. A lot of people apparently thought that it was an authentic eye-opener, but I found it entertaining precisely because it downplays its reality and finds plenty of humor in the misery of its characters. How can you watch Norman Beaton's character and think that there were real con artists like him in Brixton? He was such a goodhearted and funny actor, and in this film he does some things that actually remind of Richard Pryor's work. This upcoming release from Indicator/Powerhouse Films is sourced from a nice remaster that was approved by cinematographer Phil Meheux. RECOMMENDED.