It's Never Too Late to Mend Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

It's Never Too Late to Mend Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker May 18, 2024

Perhaps best known for his 1861 novel The Cloister and the Hearth, a highly detailed novel set in 15th century Europe, English writer Charles Reade (1814-1884) also wrote a number of novels focused on social issues relevant to his time. Among them was It Is Never Too Late to Mend which concerned itself with exposing the harsh treatment and unbearable conditions inmates in England's prisons were forced to endure. As the stills in the opening of the film seem to indicate, Reade's work prompted Queen Victoria to investigate the issues and she subsequently enacted reforms based on her findings. Considering what is detailed in the film and the novel, it's a fitting setting for Tod Slaughter to ply his trade.

Moving away from clear-cut criminal activity into morally ambiguous but no less reprehensible territory, Slaughter stars as Squire John Meadows, a wealthy man who is enamored with Susan Merton (Marjorie Taylor), the daughter of a local farmer. Many years his junior, Susan is very evidently uninterested in Meadows' attention, her heart belonging to the penniless George Fielding (Ian Collin). Meadows overhears Colins being rebuked by Susan's father who states he'll never let anyone court his daughter until he can produce at least £1000 to demonstrate that she will always be well cared for. Knowing that Fielding will have trouble even repaying a loan coming due, Meadows contrives to take control of Mr. Merton's mortgage as a means to control the farmer and work his way into Susan's life. Fielding, in an effort to change is fortunes, emabrks on a two-year voyage to Australia hoping to find a way to raise the £1000 he needs to satisfy Susan's father. With the clock ticking, Meadows begins a scheme to drive a wedge between the two and win Susan's affection.

Once Fielding departs to Australia, Meadows inspects the prison where he serves as an administrator of sorts, and it's here that it becomes clear that It's Never Too Late to Mend will allow Slaughter to return to form as a cruel, scene-stealing villain. Referring to the prisoners as his "children" he delights in extending sentences, having inmates whipped with a cat-o-nine-tails, placed in solitary confinement for extended periods of time, and subjecteding inmates to a host of other indignities and abuses. No inmate can escape his cruel attentions, with women and children receiving treatment that is no different from what the men receive, and any protestations resulting in further punishments. Though not shown, it is explicitly conveyed that Meadows takes great joy in administering whippings himself, smiling ear to ear as he retrieves the cat from the wall and heads toward a prisoner's cell. To varying degrees of success, he attempts to manipulate everyone in his orbit who may be useful to him, including lawyers, clergy, and prison guards, though a mixture of cunning, threats, and intimidation. Only Susan is treated with anything close to kindness, but as his lecherous intentions are well-known to the viewer, even these are duplicitous. But courtesy of a stellar performance from Slaugter, every injustice and vile act only leaves the viewer wanting more.

It's Never Too Late to Mend Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Per the book included with the set, the original nitrate negative elements were scanned in 4K and restored in 2K resulting in a very pleasing transfer. The image is stable and detail levels are generally good, making it easy to appreciate costuming and set particulars. As has been the case with other films in this set, there are some occasional density fluctuations and missing frames to contend with, but nothing that is overly jarring. It's a very watchable and satisfying presentation.

It's Never Too Late to Mend Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Linear PCM 1.0 English audio track is quite appropriate for the age of the film. It's typically free from defect however there are some noticeable and harsh sibilance issues throughout the film. Most are brief but there's a protracted and unmissable outbreak of them during the scene in the prison when the young boy protests against the harsh treatment he's receiving. Dialogue is otherwise clear and music is handled well.

It's Never Too Late to Mend Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The on-disc supplemental content located on Disc Two includes:

• 'The Crimes of Stephen Hawke' Audio Commentary With David McGillivray and Kim Newman

• 'It's Never Too Lake to Mend' Audio Commentary with Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby

• Image Galleries - Three image galleries are included here: 1.) The Crimes of Stephen Hawke, 2.) The Crimes of Stephen Hawke Script Treatment, and 3.) It's Never Too Late to Mend

• London After Dark (1929) (7.12) - Available to watch either silently or with a score from Current 93. It features a then current look at London, the West End, and a stage performance from Tod Slaughter.

It's Never Too Late to Mend Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Slaughter is in fine form here turning in a performance that is among the very best in this set. It's Never Too Late to Mend affords him an opportunity to display numerous refinements to his acting style since his appearance in Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn but his broad and giddily evil portray of Squire Meadows is as charming and captivating as ever. The video presentation is similar to other films in the set, though the audio track displays a few more issues than what viewers are accustomed to. Still, based on the strength of the film itself, It's Never Too Late to Mend comes highly recommended.