London in the Raw Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

London in the Raw Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 1, 2009

Arnold L. Miller's exploitation-style documentary "London in the Raw" (1964) is the first release from BFI's newly announced Flipside series. It has been transferred to Blu-ray from the original 35mm mute color negative. As usual, the UK distributors have supplied a lovely 38-page booklet to compliment their Blu-ray release. Region-Free.

Making dreams come true

To say that Arnold L. Miller’s London in the Raw is an unusual film would be an enormous understatement. Focusing on vogue, politics and prostitution amongst a number of other topics, this "Mondo" documentary is one of the most fascinatingly strange explorations of British culture that I have ever seen. It is colorful, amusing and at times irresistibly hilarious.

London in the Raw opens up with a series of fascinating observations about the British capital and its inhabitants. A narrator explains why the city has been a thriving metropolis for hundreds of years, what has changed in it, what has not changed, and how those who nowadays live in the city have embraced it. Then, he proceeds to talk about the duplicity of social identity.

Appearance is a constant theme in London in the Raw. Early into the documentary, we are walked into a chic fitness club where a group of women are trying hard to lose weight. The narrator explains that years ago a well rounded figure was seen as a sign of success while nowadays it is perceived rather differently. Later on, we see a man who has decided to undergo a complex hair transplant procedure so that he could improve his chances of success in a society where looks mean a lot. We also see a woman who buys a push-up bra and immediately feels better about herself.

Socializing is another theme that gets plenty of attention in London in the Raw. We are taken through a number of night clubs where young people meet and become friends. Many are native Londoners, but there are also visitors from other countries who have come to England to improve their language skills. A bit later on, we also see how different immigrant communities celebrate their cultural heritage.

A series of intriguing visits to different clubs where naked women dance and perform specialized services explain the mechanics of prostitution and the Brits’ fascination with it. Plenty of older men are seen acting in a manner that is both hilarious and sad at the same time. Drug addiction is quickly addressed as well. London in the Raw ends with a summation of “London of today” - a colorful city where the rich, the poor, the weak, the strong, the corrupted, the vain, the beautiful and the ugly coexist in harmony.

Arnold L. Miller’s documentary London in the Raw is one of three entries (the other two being The Bed Sitting Room and Primitive London) from BFI’s newly announced Flipside, a collection of “weird and beautiful” British films that will appear approximately every three months. The documentary arrives in two versions – a longer 75-minute version and an alternative 47-minute version, which contains footage not seen on the longer version. Both have been transferred to High-Definition from original elements kept in the BFI archive. In addition to London in the Raw, the BFI have also included three short films from the same era – Peter Davies’ Pub (1962), Staffan Lamm and Peter Davies’ Chelsea Bridge Boys (1966), and Staffan Lamm, Peter Davies and Don DeFina’s Strip (1965).

London in the Raw Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Norman Cohen and Arnold L. Miller's London in the Raw arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based distributors BFI (British Film Institute).

It is hard to believe that a 45-year old documentary could look this good. Yet, the Blu-ray release certainly proves that even old documentaries could look fantastic when treated properly. Contrast and clarity on the long version of London in the Raw are solid. A lot of the close-ups for example reveal so much detail, it is rather remarkable. The color-scheme is also very strong – reds, greens, blues, grays, blacks and whites are all notably healthy. The actual transfer is also in top notch condition. According to the booklet supplied with the Blu-ray disc, London in the Raw (long version, 76.47 min) was transferred in High-Definition from the original 35mm mute color negative (the audio was transferred from the original 35mm sound negative). London in the raw (short version, 46.52 min) was transferred in High-Definition from a 35mm mute color internegative (the audio was transferred from a 35mmre-recorded sound negative). To sum it all up, this has got to be the best London in the Raw has ever looked. For the record, I did not detect any disturbing specks, scratches, or debris. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

London in the Raw Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 (48 kHz). Optional HOH subtitles have been provided for the main feature.

The English LPCM 2.0 track is strong. The narration is very clear, crisp and easy to follow. There is a good amount of music that is used to enhance key scenes from the film that is of very good quality. I did notice a few audio fluctuations, but absolutely nothing serious that would detract from your viewing experience. Finally, there are no disturbing pops, cracks or hissings to report in this review. All in all, the LPCM 2.0 track is unproblematic.

London in the Raw Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

London in the Raw: Alternative Cut – The shorter 47- minute version of the film is available through the extras department. This being said, I do not know what the history of this alternative version is. I am unsure how it came to exist, but I there is certainly plenty of new footage here that isn't available on the longer cut of the film. The quality of the transfer is, again, terrific (1080p).

Trailer- transferred in High-Definition from a 35mm mute color internegative and 35mm sound negative (1080p).

Pub (1962) – A short film by Peter Davies transferred from a 16mm original print, which, due to the scarcity of available elements, was deemed to be the highest quality transfer source available. As a short disclaimer in the beginning of the film notes, there are many instances of missing frames, dirt, debris and scratches in evidence, as well as audio pops, crackle and other forms of damage on the soundtrack. The film focuses on a working class pub and its clientele. (B&W, 1080p, 16 min).

Chelsea Bridge Boys (1965) – A short film by Peter Davies and Staffan Lamm transferred in High-Definition from original 16mm print elements. The film can best be described as a collage of interviews where young bikers talk about their mundane activities, love, politics, etc. (B&W, 1080p, 32 min).

Strip (1966) – A short film by Peter Davies, Don DeFina and Staffan Lamm transferred in High-Definition from a 16mm print held at the BFI. The three directors take us to the dressing rooms of a sleazy striptease club. A lot of the girls talk about their professions and explain why they decide to become strippers. (B&W, 1080p, 27 min).

The BFI have once again provided a lovely 38-page booklet with the Blu-ray release of London in the Raw. In it, you will find Stewart Home's essay "The girls are naked and they dance: from London in the Raw to Strip" (the author has written over a dozen novels and many pamphlets that explore the underground culture and avant-garde art movements of the last century, often in the style of the pulp novel), Vic Pratt's essay "The Long and the short of it" (the author is a curator at the BFI national archive), a "London in the Raw" review, originally published in Monthly Film Bulletin (August, 1964), "Arnold Louis Miller (1922 - )" by William Fowler (a curator of Artists' Moving Image at the BFI National Archive), "Stanley A. Long (1933 - )" by Vic Pratt, "Pub" by director Peter Davies, "Chelsea Bridge Boys" by director Staffan Lamm, and "Strip" by director Don DeFina. I would like to also note that the booklet contains a number of terrific photographs.

London in the Raw Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am very excited about BFI's Flipside series. London in the Raw is a fantastic documentary that has been given a marvelous treatment. Luckily for Region-A film aficionados, this is also a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Very Highly Recommended.