Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Funeral in Berlin Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 25, 2021

Guy Hamilton's "Funeral in Berlin" (1966) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc feature an exclusive new video interview with editor John Bloom; archival program with writer Len Deighton; two archival programs with Michael Caine; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

English, you are not very bright.

Despite its quite good sense of humor, which does add an obvious lightness to the narrative, Funeral in Berlin is the coldest and most straightforward film about Harry Palmer. I would like to explain precisely why because more than likely this isn’t going to be the immediate impression you get once you sit down to view it.

The film is based on Len Dieghton novel of the same name, and even though it reconstructs the main events in it quite accurately, it actually creates a notably different playground for Palmer and the other spies like him. In the novel, Palmer is a professional who engages other professionals whose awareness of the many dangers they must face while doing their job produces a very familiar sense of paranoia, which is why the suspense has a very obvious business quality. (Simply put, the emphasis is on the mechanics of the spying game). Guy Hamilton’s direction tones down this business quality, humanizes the professionals, and then expands their playground. As a result, the bigger picture, which is important in the novel as well, changes. For example, the ‘normal’ environment in which ordinary people spend their time frequently overlaps the environment of the spies, and as it happens, it becomes quite obvious that the two are essentially identical. It is why even with its many witty and colorful jokes the film remains notably cold -- the absurdity of life in divided Europe is everywhere and unavoidable. The other big change in the film is that the rabbit hole that sucks up Palmer after he returns to Berlin turns out to be bottomless. Admittedly, it is the main reason why the plot confuses some viewers, but heading down the rabbit hole is actually a very straightforward experience. How so? If you ignore the exact nature of the many twists and turns that are introduced after Palmer begins his mission in Berlin, the one constant development that keeps reemerging is this: no one is ever truly sincere, plus the truth is never complete. This is an incredibly accurate summation of the reality that existed in divided Europe and especially Berlin where an unknown but massive number of people, not just the professionals like Palmer, were constantly spying on each other. The novel produces detailed descriptions of Palmer’s adventures which ultimately leave the impression that at the right time his mission will end with a logical resolution, and as a result the significance of the bottomless rabbit hole becomes a lot more difficult to grasp.

Caine is really good, but it has to be underscored that his transformation here has only some basic similarities with the one from The Ipcress File. Indeed, now Palmer looks significantly looser and when appropriate far more audacious, very comfortable with a sense of humor that an all-around classier character like Thomas Crown would promote. This writer prefers this particular transformation because it makes it easier to see Palmer as a skilled chameleon, which is precisely what some of the greatest Cold War spies turned out to be.

The footage from divided Berlin is outstanding, too. During the prologue, for instance, the camera captures Berliners living their lives as if everything that is happening in their city is completely normal. At the Wall, the camera then captures the surprised faces of soldiers that obviously are not entirely sure what to make of its presence. There are some terrific areal shots as well. The film was lensed by Otto Heller, who also worked with Sidney J. Furie on The Ipcress File.

Funeral in Berlin Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Funeral in Berlin arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. (In case you are wondering whether it is the same master that was used for the North American release of Funeral in Berlin, the answer is yes). Obviously, if fully restored in 4K, or even 2K, this film can look better. However, I actually think that the current master is fairly decent. Indeed, the biggest limitation of this master is its age, which means that even though most of the visuals do not look as fresh and vibrant as they should, the film still has an acceptable organic appearance. For example, the surface of the visuals does not reveal any traces of problematic digital corrections. From time to time you will notice light ringing, but this is an inherited limitation. (Simply put, the current master is struck from an inferior element that already has the ringing). Also, the color balance is affected by similar inherited limitations and as a result saturation levels are not optimal. Some minor white specks and random blemishes can be spotted as well. However, density levels and in many areas even delineation are still quite good. A few wider panoramic shots even reveal pleasing depth. Image stability is good, too. So, if you like Funeral in Berlin and currently have only a DVD copy of it in your library, you should know that this Blu-ray release most definitely offers meaningful improvements that can make viewing the film at home a more satisfying experience. My score is 3.25/5.00. (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).

Funeral in Berlin Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: LPCM 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

Even though the master that was used to produce this release is undoubtedly old, I think that the existing lossless track is near perfect. All you have to do to realize that it is so is turn up the volume slightly higher than usual and you will quickly conclude that the upper register is very healthy and the dynamic range is excellent. The clarity and stability of the dialog/narration are excellent, too. So, can the audio sound better? At this point, my answer is a definite no. It is possible that in a future restoration the audio will be redone and some cosmetic adjustments will be introduced, but the basic qualities of the current lossless track will be retained because they reproduce the native qualities of the film's original soundtrack.

Funeral in Berlin Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Fun in Berlin" - in this new video interview, editor John Bloom recalls how he was approached by Guy Hamilton and offered the opportunity to work on Funeral in Berlin while he was still involved with Georgy Girl, and discusses the director's working methods, the original footage he saw and synchronization of the dailies, his time in West Berlin where the bulk of the film was shot, some specific troubles with the producers of the film, etc. Also, there are some very interesting comments about the film's soundtrack, which apparently Mr. Bloom found quite problematic. The interview was conducted in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• "Michael Caine: Breaking the Mold" (1994) - in this archival program, Michael Caine discusses his life and career, his acting philosophy, the films and roles that had a profound impact on him and his image, and the socio-cultural environment in Britain during the '60s. A small section of the program is dedicated to Alfie. Included in the program are clips from interviews with director Lewis Gilbert (Alfie), Roger Moore, Julie Walters, Bob Hoskins, Dennis Selinger (Caine's agent), director Sidney J. Furie (The Ipcress File), and Angie Dickinson, amongst others. This program previously appeared on Via Vision Entertainment's release of My Generation, which is included in the label's two-disc release of Alfie. In English, not subtitles. (58 min).

• "Afternoon Plus" (1983) - in this archival program, writer Len Deighton discusses Guy Hamilton and Evan Jones' cinematic adaptation of his novel, the fact that in the early 1960s Ian Fleming stated that the novel was his favorite, class division and the totalitarian nature of communism, the rise of corruption in the communist states in Eastern Europe during the 1980s, etc. In English, not subtitled. (26 min).

• "Candid Caine" (1969) - in this archival documentary, Michael Caine discusses his working methods, his background, and acting career. The actor also visits some of the special places from his childhood years and before he became famous. In English, not subtitled. (47 min).

• Commentary - in this exclusive new audio commentary, Rob Mallows (from "The Deighton Dossier" website, which is an online resource about writer Len Deighton), discusses in great detail the various locations in West Berlin where key sections of Funeral in Berlin were shot, various plot points from the film and important events from the novel are recreated, Harry Palmer's complex relationship with Ross (Guy Doleman), a few notable differences between Funeral in Berlin and The Ipcress File, etc.

• Photo Gallery - a collection of archival production and promotional stills for Funeral in Berlin With music. (3 min).

• Trailer - vintage trailer for A Funeral in Berlin. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

Funeral in Berlin Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Funeral in Berlin is my favorite of the three films about Harry Palmer. I think that it recreates the events from Len Deighton's book quite well and adds a degree of period authenticity to them that is rather unique. Divided Berlin emerges as a dangerous yet quite absurd playground for professional and non-professional spies, which is essentially what the city was during the Cold War era. To be honest, I think that a lot of the film's critics are completely misinterpreting the nature of the humor that is channeled through it because they can't detect the grotesque element in it. It is a crucial omission because it absolutely was part of the reality which the two groups of spies shared. What does not work in this film is the music. It just isn't right for its dual personality and style. This release is sourced from an older master with some limitations that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. As usual, the folks at Via Vision Entertainment have provided a very interesting selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Funeral in Berlin is included in The Harry Palmer Collection, a very handsome three-disc box set).