Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Murphy's War Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 27, 2022

Peter Yates' "Murphy's War" (1971) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with co-editor and assistant director John Glen; exclusive new program with focus puller Robin Vidgeon; archival audio producer with Michael Deeley; archival interview with actor Philippe Noiret; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The bastard

The final days of WWII, Venezuela. Somewhere on the River Orinoco, a German submarine torpedoes a British ship. As the ship slowly begins to sink, British soldiers and crew members trying to move away from it become easy targets.

Some hours later, the only survivor of the massacre, an Irishman named Murphy (Peter O’Toole), is discovered by a couple of local fishermen and transported to their village where a Quaker doctor (Sian Phillips) begins treating his wounds. Even though he can barely move, and much to the dismay of the doctor, Murphy vows to avenge the death of his comrades.

Shortly after he regains his strength, Murphy encounters Louie (Philippe Noiret), a Frenchman who has spent his entire life in the area looking after French oil rigs. Murphy and Louie quickly warm up to each other and together decide to rebuild a small plane that has been shot down and left to rust. Then, while testing the plane, Murphy accidentally discovers where the German submarine that torpedoed his ship is kept on standby mode. With Louie’s assistance again, Murphy loads the plane with primitive liquid bombs and prepares to attack the German submarine. But at the same time, the doctor’s tiny radio announces that Germany has capitulated and WWII is officially over.

Most critics have described Murphy’s War as a cinematic adaptation of Max Catto’s novel of the same name, but this film very much looks and feels like an original project. Indeed, even though there aren’t any significant alterations to the original material, Peter Yates, O’Toole, and Noiret give the film such a convincing unique personality that its relationship to Catto’s novel becomes largely irrelevant.

Behind this unique personality are two key factors. First, the story of Murphy’s War is so simple that its visualization is impossible to complete without some degree of artistic liberty. Indeed, at the center of this story is O’Toole’s destructive obsession with the German “bastard”, but because it rapidly escalates in his head Yates has to be creative. This is why if you slightly adjust your viewing angle large sections of Murphy’s War begin to look like extracts from an unusual documentary about a patent with a rare mental illness. Second, like most great films from the 1970s Murphy’s War does not have a filter and treats the viewer as an intelligent adult. As a result, its story does not promote any sort of a scripted message; rather, it leaves it to the viewer to rationalize its visuals and judge the actions of its leads.

Murphy’s War ends with the type of sobering revelation, not a message, that hasn’t lost its relevance. It defines war as a pointless theater of death and soldiers as delusional actors determined to self-destruct. Interestingly, it becomes awfully difficult to profile as an anti-war film precisely because it vehemently rejects the common concept of war as a controlled act of violence that can accomplish a rational outcome.

O’Toole is sensational as the consumed by hatred Irishman who essentially becomes a one-man army. There are a couple of sequences where Yates’ camera observers O’Toole’s face while his obsession with the “bastard” makes him look like he is under the influence of some very powerful drug that are simply extraordinary. (The best sequence is at the end where O'Toole operates the old barge and appears genuinely unhinged). Noiret is excellent as the slightly more rational Frenchman as well. Phillips, who at the time was married to O’Toole, does not look right for her part, but fortunately, her time in front of the camera is quite limited.

Yates shot Murphy’s War with the great cinematographer Douglas Slocombe on location in Venezuela. In an outstanding exclusive new program that is included on this release, co-editor and assistant director John Glen describes the entire shoot as something of an endurance test that could have been greenlighted only during the 1970s.

Murphy's War Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Murphy's War arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The master that was used to produce this release isn't new and reveals various minor limitations. However, I like it quite a lot because it gives the film a pleasing organic appearance. Yes, you will likely notice some areas where delineation and depth are not optimal, but there are no traces of problematic digital corrections and this is essentially the reason why the film looks like film. Also, I like how the master is graded. The primaries are pretty good and nicely balanced, and while the existing range of supporting nuances can be expanded and strengthened, the overall balance is very convincing. Image stability is good. I noticed a few minor blemishes, but there are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. So, even though the current master is older and gives the film a slightly dated appearance, I still like it because it has good organic qualities. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Murphy's War Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I did not encounter any serious age-related anomalies to report in our review, and I had the volume on my system turned up quite a bit so that I can hear all exchanges during the action sequences. Dynamic intensity is very good too, so the testing of the plane and the various explosions sounded great on my system. Can the audio sound significantly better if it is fully remastered? I don't think so. At best, there would be some cosmetic enhancements and minor improvements. I like the current lossless track a lot.

Murphy's War Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• John Glen: A Great Adventure - in this new program, co-editor and assistant director John Glen discusses his career in the film industry, his work with Peter Yates on Murphy's War, and the various obstacles that he and other members of the film crew had to overcome while shooting in Venezuela. There are some terrific observations about Yates's collaboration with Steve McQueen on Bullitt. In English, not subtitled. (32 min).

• Philippe Noiret on Murphy's War - in this archival interview, actor Philippe Noiret discusses his involvement with Murphy's War, his interactions with Peter Yates and Peter O'Toole, and the character he plays in the film. The interview was conducted in 1971. In French, with English subtitles. (6 min).

• Robin Vidgeon: Dougie, Chic and Me - in this new program, focus puller Robin Vidgeon recalls how he auditioned for Douglas Slocombe, and discusses his working methods (and especially his ability to shoot women) and work during the production of Murphy's War. Also, there are some quite interesting, and true, observations about the discipline his profession requires. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Sheldon Hall: One Man Army - in this new program, critic Sheldon Hall discusses the production and unique qualities of Murphy's War. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Michael Deeley in Conversation - this archival audio program features the producer of Murphy's War, Michael Deeley, and was recorded at BFI Southbank in 2008. The bulk of the comments address the role of a producer and the conception of Murphy's War. Also, there are some quite interesting comments about Robbery, Bullitt, and The Italian Job, as well as the great French stuntman Remy Julienne (The Burglars). In English, not subtitled. (42 min).

• Behind the Camera: Douglas Slocombe - this archival program takes a closer look at the legacy of cinematographer Douglas Slocombe. Included in it are clips from archival interviews with Richard Attenborough, Alan Parker, and Ken Russell, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Super 8 Version - presented here is a shorter Super 8 version of Murphy's War. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (21 min).

• Alternative U.S. Credits - with music. (2 min).

• Theatrical Trailer - presented here is a textless theatrical trailer for Murphy's War. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of original promotional materials for Murphy's War.

• Cover - a reversible cover with vintage poster art for Murphy's War.

• Booklet - a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Julian Wheeler, an archival interview with Peter O'Toole, a look at the production of the film, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

Murphy's War Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Murphy's War is a forgotten masterpiece that needs an urgent reevaluation. It is a very old favorite of mine that I rank among Peter Yates and Peter O'Toole's best films, so I was very happy to see that it transitioned to Blu-ray. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' release is sourced from an older but quite nice organic master and features some really good exclusive new and archival bonus features. I particularly enjoyed the new program with co-editor and assistant director John Glen, who shares some tremendous stories about Yates, O'Toole, the production of Murphy's War, and even the conception of Bullitt. If you can play Region-B "locked" releases, I urge you to pick up Murphy's War for your collection. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.