Brimstone & Treacle 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Brimstone & Treacle 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 8, 2025

Known for his work on “The Singing Detective” and “Pennies from Heaven,” writer Dennis Potter loves to visit dark spaces of the human soul. He returns to such depths in “Brimstone & Treacle,” which was originally conceived as a BBC production before it was turned into a theater piece, and it lives again in a 1982 screen adaptation, directed by Richard Loncraine. The helmer has a particular challenge in this material, which veers into impossibly bleak territory as it offers a sizable psychological study, finding Potter in a mood to poke at religious belief and personal denial in the work. “Brimstone & Treacle” isn’t a raw feature, retaining the feel of a theatrical production, which isn’t always welcome. However, the offering is potent in spots, especially when concentrating on the Machiavellian ways of the main character as he tries to bring complete ruin to a family that’s already fallen apart.

Martin (Sting) is a con man searching for opportunity, spotting a chance to overwhelm Tom (Denholm Elliot) on the streets as the older gentleman makes his way home from work. Martin is playing a long game of deception, claiming to be an old friend of Patricia (Suzanna Hamilton), who’s spent the last few years living with brain damage after a car accident, relying on Tom and her mother, Norma (Joan Plowright), for complete care. Martin makes his way into the household, eventually announcing he was once engaged to Patricia, hoping to stay in the dwelling to help tend to her needs. Tom has his doubts, while Norma is charmed, permitting Martin to screw his way into the family dynamic, playing with everyone’s minds as he takes want he wants from Patricia in her vulnerable state.

Martin runs a particular scam, targeting men on the street, pretending to be someone from their past. He’s a practiced liar, making a tenuous connection to Tom, who’s not easily fooled, but Martin is able to find his way into a stranger’s home. It’s a showdown of suspicion that makes up most of “Brimstone & Treacle,” watching Martin worm his way into relationships, offering concern for Patricia, which wins over Norma, allowing him to stay. Potter begins to toy with this household dynamic, creating early scenes of questioning as Tom hopes to test Martin’s story, while the visitor works fast to make himself comfortable, treating Norma as a mother figure. There’s sickness brewing in the material, but Potter portions out deceptions carefully, creating a layer cake of offenses as viewers learn more about Tom’s private life and Patricia’s accident.

Martin’s charms are a ruse, and Loncraine doesn’t hide his malevolent ways, even gifting the character some slasher film-style synth stings to underline his intent. “Brimstone & Treacle” isn’t a traditional horror movie, going in a more disturbing direction with conversations about the power of faith and the mummification of hopelessness, especially with Tom, who’d welcome an extinction level event. “Brimstone & Treacle” shows some signs of struggle while attempting to turn the play into a movie, unable to shake the staginess of the material, and broadly realized cinematic events (including a dream sequence) are a bit too much for Loncraine to handle. There’s awkwardness to the work, but also a sense of style, including a wonderful main title sequence that sets the grim mood of the picture.

Brimstone & Treacle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Brimstone & Treacle" is listed as "scanned and restored in 4K from its original camera negative and graded under the supervision of director Richard Loncraine and cinematographer Peter Hannan." For its UHD debut, Vinegar Syndrome provides an introductory card explaining that previous home video releases of the movie diluted its original "stylized" look, with this release restoring "deep yellow and green tones" originally intended for the endeavor. Indeed, "Brimstone & Treacle" emerges as a wildly colorful offering, and is handled well during the viewing experience, which offers a brighter feel for hues. Primaries are appealing, and moodier scenes around the household register with power, including religious and dreamlike visuals. Skin tones are natural. Greenery and stony English living is distinct. Detail is excellent, getting into skin particulars on the cast and their age differences. Costuming is textured, along with household decoration, which remains open for inspection. Exteriors are limited, but maintain depth. Interiors retain ideal dimension. Blacks are deep, securing evening activity and shadow play. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is nicely resolved, film-like throughout. Source is in good shape, with brief scratches and some debris.

Brimstone & Treacle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix supplies crisp dialogue exchanges, which remain balanced throughout argumentative moments and hushed emotional scenes. Some sibilance is present. Scoring supports with a deep synth sound at times. Soundtrack selections are inviting, offering clear instrumentation and vocals. Sound effects are alert.

Brimstone & Treacle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Scene-Select Commentary (41:17) features director Richard Loncraine and actor Sting.

• "Trouble Brewing" (26:07, HD) is an interview with director Richard Loncraine, who was in the middle of a hectic time in his career when "Brimstone & Treacle" entered his life. Describing author Dennis Potter as a "miserable bugger," Loncraine is fairly certain he wasn't the first choice for the project, creating a slightly hostile creative environment due to troubles with the writer. Casting is examined, highlighting work from actors the helmer didn't hire, but he remains pleased with, including Sting. Creative achievements are examined, going into detail about the unusual main title sequence for the picture and the creation of the soundtrack. Loncraine goes into the specifics of his directorial style and his efforts to expand his artistry during his career, admitting some faults in "Brimstone & Treacle." However, he seems pleased with the final cut, supplying pride in the work and candid thoughts about its creation.

• "A House for the Devil" (16:06, HD) is an interview with production designer Milly Burns, who entered the film industry "by chance," eager to see London as a young woman. Educational adventures followed, heading into the arts, which led her into a film production employment, which proved to be a rocky road as she began landing gigs. Battling vicious sexism, Burns was forced to focus on the work, collaborating with directors such as Terry Gilliam. The conversation turns to "Brimstone & Treacle," exploring creative decisions and technical challenges, including the making of a dream sequence. Describing the job as a "happy shoot," the interviewee reflects on the final cut, offering "reservations on the premise" of the picture, but she remains proud of the work.

• "Big Visions and Small Screens: Dennis Potter on Film" (22:51, HD) is an appreciation piece from film historians Jon Dear and John Williams.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:34, HD) is included.

Brimstone & Treacle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Brimstone & Treacle" is a rough ride of behavior and dishonesty, as Potter follows this primary manipulation to its natural conclusion, keeping Martin a vicious predator. Ugliness registers as planned, but less confident are examinations of religious belief and fervor, as intended dissection, even mockery, doesn't land with profundity. More interesting is misery, finding place of despair in the parents, which is played superbly by Plowright and especially Elliott, who's exceptionally skilled at projecting personal agitation. Sting is miscast, but he's trying to make a monster, helping to define the evildoing of "Brimstone & Treacle," following Potter's lead as Martin eats the domestic disruption with a knife and fork, creating a few memorable scenes of torment in a feature that fully connects when exploring cruel vulnerabilities of the mind and body.