7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.9 |
A frank exploration of voyeurism and violence, Michael Powell's extraordinary film is the story of a psychopathic cameraman - his childhood traumas, sexual crises, and murderous revenge as an adult. Reviled by critics upon its initial release for its deeply unsettling subject matter, the film has since been hailed as a masterpiece.
Starring: Karlheinz Böhm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, Maxine Audley, Pamela GreenPsychological thriller | 100% |
Mystery | 53% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.65:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Michael Powell's "Peeping Tom" (1960) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include a short introduction by director Martin Scorsese; a wonderful featurette with director Martin Scorsese, film critic Ian Christie, Thelma Schoonmaker, Prof. Laura Mulvey, and Karlheinz Bohm; a documentary produced by Studio Canal; interview with Thelma Schoonmaker; restoration comparison; stills gallery; and the film's original theatrical trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. Region-B "locked".
I am watching you
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Michael Powell's Peeping Tom arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment.
This is an exceptionally strong high-definition transfer. Freshly restored, Peeping Tom looks the best it ever has. Fine object detail is outstanding, clarity very pleasing, and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. What impresses the most, however, is the color-scheme; the variety of reds, greens, blues, yellows, browns, and blacks look sensational (there is an extensive demo included on the disc which compares the old look of the film with the new restoration). Stability is also greatly improved. For example, the background flicker and macroblocking that are present on the old Criterion SDVD release of Peeping Tom are completely gone. Many of the close-ups also look exceptionally healthy - there are no color pulsations or pixelation issues, and the high-transfer reveals a type of depth that very much rivals that of the restored The Red Shoes. Lastly, Peeping Tom has also been meticulously cleaned up. As a result, there are no large cuts, marks, stains, or debris to report in this review. To sum it all up, this is indeed an exceptional presentation of an exceptional film. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English LPCM 2.0. For the record, Optimum Home Entertainment have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.
The audio treatment is as impressive as the video treatment. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and exceptionally easy to follow. There are no balance issues with Brian Easdale's score either. Indeed, the English LPCM 2.0 track has excellent depth and resonance that is not present on the Criterion SDVD release of Peeping Tom. Lastly, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts to report in this review.
Introduction - a short introduction to Peeping Tom by director Martin Scorsese. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, PAL).
Eye of the Beholder - in this featurette, produced by Canal+ and Image UK Ltd., director Martin Scorsese, film critic Ian Christie, Thelma Schoonmaker, Prof. Laura Mulvey, and Karlheinz Bohm (who plays Mark Lewis) discuss the fascinating history of Peeping Tom and the devastating impact it had on Michael Powell's career in the UK. In English, not subtitled. (19 min, PAL).
The Strange Gaze of Mark Lewis - in this wonderful documentary, produced by Studio Canal, French director Bertrand Tavernier, film historian Charles Drazin, and psychiatrist Dr. Olivier Bouvet discuss Peeping Tom and its placement within Michael Powell's body of work. In English and French, with imposed English subtitles where necessary. (25 min, PAL).
Interview - in this this interview Thelma Schoonmaker, film editor and widow of Michael Powell, acknowledges director Martin Scorsese's efforts to rerelease Peeping Tom after it was dismissed by the critics in the UK, why the film shocked critics and audiences when it was released, the extreme reviews the film received, the main character, etc. In English, not subtitled. (11 min, PAL).
Restoration Comparison - a look at Peeping Tom before and after it was restored. Without sound. (7 min, 1080p).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Peeping Tom. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).
Stills Gallery - a collection of stills from the shooting of Peeping Tom. (1080p).
Commentary - a very informative audio commentary by film critic Ian Christie, who carefully deconstructs Peeping Tom and points out why it irreversibly damaged Michael Powell's career.
Optimum Home Entertainment have put together a fantastic package for Michael Powell's once very controversial Peeping Tom. The film looks and sounds phenomenal. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed also contains a number of very informative supplemental features. In addition to this terrific Blu-ray release, Optimum Home Entertainment are also bringing Peeping Tom to the big screen to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. So if you are in London this month, do not miss it! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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