Conduct Unbecoming Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Conduct Unbecoming Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 12, 2019

1975’s “Conduct Unbecoming” is based on a play written by Barry England, and the film version retains much of its theatrical atmosphere. Director Michael Anderson (“Logan’s Run”) has assembled a magnificent cast to explore the material, hiring the likes of Michael York, Stacy Keach, Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, Christopher Plummer, and James Faulkner to help explore what’s essentially a courtroom thriller, though it eventually transforms into a whodunit for suspense purposes. “Conduct Unbecoming” is stiffly realized, but it’s difficult to deny its thespian power, with wonderful talents permitted room by Anderson to find their unique rhythms and detail the endeavor.

A case of sexual assault in 1880 India is the central crisis on “Conduct Unbecoming,” with Susannah York portraying the victim and Michael York a reluctant advocate trying to locate the facts of the questionable case. Anderson doesn’t amplify the original play, remaining true to its position as an actor’s showcase, with the cast working through monologues and charged interplay, while the story tackles some unsavory business concerning the secret lives of men. While it’s never nail-biting, “Conduct Unbecoming” has moments of compelling conflict, with York’s crisis of conscience and growing sense of disillusionment in military honor enough to carry the endeavor.

Conduct Unbecoming Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is billed as a "Brand new 2018 HD scan of the original IP." Age is apparent throughout, with a few jumpy frames, speckling, and mild judder. Clarity isn't ideal, but detail is acceptable, working with slight softness to find the stiffness of the military outfits and the range of age from the cast. Interior decoration is also adequate, capturing period details. Colors are satisfactory, leading with uniform reds, which dominate, and lighter hues with York's dresses. Skintones are natural. Delineation is comfortable.

Conduct Unbecoming Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also wrestles with age, carrying heavy hiss throughout. Dialogue exchanges still offer presence, with booming performances intact, delivering dramatic emphasis. Scoring is acceptable, handled with emphasis and decent instrumentation. Sound effects are crude but capable.

Conduct Unbecoming Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features actor Michael York.

• Commentary #2 features director Michael Anderson.

• Interview (19:17, SD) with Stacy Keach opens with the actor's initial hiring for "Conduct Unbecoming," which required him to have an English accent, understanding his place as the only American in the cast. Keach describes changes from the original play and his research into the period, also enjoying camaraderie with his co-stars, looking up to the veterans in the ensemble. The interviewee details life on a British film set, where all activity stops immediately for tea service. Talk of self-analysis when watching dailies, and inevitable embarrassment, closes the conversation, with Keach going philosophical about the technical needs of a performance.

• Interview (25:16, SD) with James Faulkner is a lively conversation with the actor, who shares his initial discovery of drama school, launching his interest in performance. As one of the youngest members of the cast, Faulkner monitored his co-stars closely, and even asked Susannah York out on a date after spending his childhood growing obsessed with his co-star. There are several anecdotes shared about Christopher Plummer, Stacy Keach, and Richard Attenborough, and Faulkner assesses technical credits as well, celebrating the score and cinematography. Faulkner moves past "Conduct Unbecoming" to explore his career in movies, achieving a level of fame that surprised him, also taking a few odd jobs, including trailer voiceover work. Also a producer, Faulkner examines his efforts to get "Zulu Dawn" made, and he files through some of his filmography, including "Albino," offering stories about Sybil Danning and Christopher Lee.

• Interview (5:36, SD) with editor John Glen is a short recap of technical highlights on "Conduct Unbecoming," which was a speedy, multi-camera shoot, giving the cutter plenty to work with. Preparation is noted, including a lengthy rehearsal period, and Glen shares his memories of the cast and director Anderson.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:44, HD) is included.

Conduct Unbecoming Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Conduct Unbecoming" builds to a resolution, but the journey to the final scene is more interesting than dramatic closure, as the picture provides strong roles for capable performers, keeping Anderson inspired as he takes something meant for the stage and tries, in small ways, to make it intimate and emotional.