Neither the Sea Nor the Sand Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Neither the Sea Nor the Sand Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 25, 2025

Gordon Honeycombe adapts his own novel, 1969’s “Neither the Sea Nor the Sand,” for the screen, trying to bring something of a horror story to life with material that feels intensely literary in design. Director Fred Burnley has the challenge of realizing the strange relationships found in the tale, which tracks the development of obsession between a woman and her lover who face a distinct challenge to their coupling. It’s not an easy film to describe and periodically difficult to sit through, offering an idea for some type of haunting and deeper psychological break in a mostly half-baked fashion, making for an uneven viewing experience.

Anna (Susan Hampshire) is a woman searching for freedom from her husband, taking off on a trip to Jersey, looking for isolation. Instead, she meets Hugh (Michael Petrovitch), an airport employee and lifelong resident of the area. The two immediately connect, inspiring an affair that turns into an emotional bond for the duo, as Anna pledges her eternal love. Taking a weekend trip to Scotland for more fun, Anna is faced with horror as Hugh collapses and dies on a beach, seemingly ending their future. However, the man returns after being declared dead, emerging from the shadows to reunite with Anna, who’s delighted to have Hugh back. But things aren’t right, as Hugh doesn’t speak or feel anything, forcing Anna to scramble to cover for this reality, facing concerns from Hugh’s sibling, George (Frank Finlay), and his friend, Collie (Michael Craze). Anna and Hugh’s connection comes quickly in “Neither the Sea Nor the Sand.” Of course, she’s emotionally wounded, dealing with a failed marriage she’s escaping from, but she immediately responds to Hugh’s attention, commencing a sexual relationship in Jersey, taking in the isolation her surroundings provide. The duo move quick, but Burnley offers a pleasing sense of location, and the tale offers a complication in the presence of George, Hugh’s conservative brother and keeper of family history. He’s not happy with the coupling, voicing his displeasure while Anna grows fully committed to her new situation, ready to ditch her old life and start a fresh one with Hugh. Such bliss is short-lived, as Hugh dies, leaving Anna in Scotland to process the loss. She’s distraught, and her denial phase includes the return of Hugh, cracking open a potent psychological study to come. However, Honeycombe doesn’t follow through on such analysis, electing to write a campfire story instead, following Anna as she welcomes a zombified Hugh back into her life, eventually recognizing telepathic communication from the former dead man. Other characters interact with Hugh as well, which is meant to blur reality in “Neither the Sea Nor the Sand,” and even horror is teased in George’s call for an exorcism, identifying the evil in play. It’s another intriguing narrative path to follow, but Honeycombe can’t quite decide what kind of tale to tell, electing to play up the mystery of it all without providing a distinct reason to care about it.

Neither the Sea Nor the Sand Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 2K from a 35mm answer print." It's a very film- like look at the world of "Neither the Sea Nor the Sand," with heavy grain throughout the viewing experience. Periodic stretches of age and damage are present as well, resulting in some mild discoloration. Detail reaches as far as possible, providing a feel for heavier costuming and skin particulars. Exteriors are deep, examining the violent coastal areas, and interiors are dimensional, inspecting small living spaces. Color is cooler, with deeper browns and grays. Anna's appearance offers distinctly brighter hues, handling blond hair and pink outfits. Delineation is satisfactory, managing darker encounters.

Neither the Sea Nor the Sand Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides clear dialogue exchanges, which occasionally compete with the turbulent nature of the location. Scoring maintains decent instrumentation and dramatic support. Sound effects are pronounced, exploring the roughness of the sea and some violent activity.

Neither the Sea Nor the Sand Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons.

• "Steering a Course" (17:32, HD) is an interview with producer Peter Fetterman, who grew up in a "working class ghetto," yearning to escape his bleak surroundings, turning to the cinema to do so. Learning more about moviemaking, Fetterman was eager to join the club, eventually meeting author Gordon Honeycombe, who wanted to see his book, "Neither the Sea Nor the Sand," turned into a movie. Volunteering for a producing job, Fetterman set out to make the feature, eventually achieving his goal with help from Honeycombe as a screenwriter. The interviewee shares the ease of the production process, completing work in Jersey on a tight budget, which he kept a close eye on to prevent a disaster. Title concerns are shared, and the endeavor's box office shortcomings are assessed. Other career achievements are recalled, including 1977's "The Haunting of Julia," forcing the producer to deal with star Mia Farrow's debilitating nerves.

• "Both the Sea and the Sand" (9:01, HD) is an interview with actress Susan Hampshire, who participated in the making of "Neither Sea Nor the Sand" while raising a two-year-old child, putting professional pressure on her. The interviewee shares the power of her emotional acting, causing a scene with her intensity, also detailing her refusal to provide nudity, requiring the use of a body double. Location work is remembered, offering a pleasing vacation from life's demands, and co-stars are assessed. Physical challenges around Jersey are identified as well, supplying a lot of wetness for what was otherwise a "happy experience."

• "Where Credit is Due" (8:00, HD) is an interview with standby propertyman Brian Lofthouse, who was a freelance employee at the time, joining the small crew for "Neither the Sea Nor the Sand." Describing the film as "odd and weird," Lofthouse offers scattered memories from the shoot, enjoying the days in Jersey and the beauty of star Susan Hampshire. A truck crash sequence is analyzed, responsible for cleaning up a beach after the destruction of the vehicle.

• "New Shores" (7:57, HD) is an interview with assistant editor Richard Trevor, who already knew editor Norman Wanstall, soon shipped off to Jersey to help shape "Neither the Sea Nor the Sand." Production duties are recalled, including projection work for the dailies, also in charge of keeping track of the editing room. Memories from the shoot are also shared, examining technical demands and personal interactions, and Trevor remains "pleased" with the look of the film.

• "Jersey Journey" (11:14, HD) is an interview with editor Norman Wanstall, who describes "Neither the Sea Nor the Sand" as one of his "happiest films," ready for a moviemaking adventure in Jersey. Crew camaraderie was so strong, they formed a soccer team for after hours fun, and Wanstall shares a photo of the group. Production memories are provided, handling body double concerns and professional connections. The interviewee highlights job responsibilities and interactions with other departments as well, also sharing creative challenges after years working on James Bond films.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Neither the Sea Nor the Sand Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Neither the Sea Nor the Sand" isn't a genre picture or a love story. It's not a tale about a ghost or a commanding study of grief. It exists in a weird gray area with a script that runs out of ideas at the hour mark, trying to linger in the unknown without offering much dramatic punch to support the journey. The cast delivers emotional emphasis to carry the endeavor, as fine turns from Hampshire, Petrovich, and Finlay provide welcome intensity, but they're working uphill with this script, out to generate an eerie and sensitive viewing experience that never congeals in a profound manner.