6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The follow up to Arnold L Miller's 1964 film 'London in the Raw', this title is another documentary exploring the more explicit side of London life after dark. This time the film centres round events at the Ace Cafe and features interviews with mods, rockers and beatniks, giving viewers another eye- opening account of 1960s London.
Starring: David GellDocumentary | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
English: LPCM 2.0
French: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The follow-up to Arnold L. Miller's exploitation-style documentary "London in the Raw" (1964), "Primitive London" (1965) arrives on Blu-ray as part of BFI's newly introduced Flipside series. The documentary has been transferred in High-Definition from a 35mm mute color interpos. The English language audio was transferred from a 35mm sound negative. The French language audio was transferred from a 35mm re-recorded sound negative. The pictures has been restored with HD-DVNR and MTI restoration systems. As usual, the UK distributors have supplied a lovely 38-page booklet to compliment their Blu-ray release. Region-Free.
Beautiful
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Arnold L. Miller's documentary Primitive London arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based distributors BFI (British Film Institute).
Primitive London looks as impressive as London in the Raw. Contrast is fantastic, clarity excellent and detail exceptionally strong. The color-scheme is also pleasingly natural, with blues, reds, greens, blacks and whites being very convincing. Furthermore, I did not spot any edge-enhancement patterns to report in this review. Macroblocking is also not an issue of concern. According to the booklet supplied with the Blu-ray disc, Primitive London was transferred to High-Definition from a 35mm mute color interpose. Additionally, the picture has been restored using HD-DVNR and MTI restoration systems. As a result, Primitive London looks as good as it could. This being said, I did notice a few tiny specks popping up here and there but, overall, this is indeed a fantastic looking release, which I wholeheartedly recommend to you. (Note) This is a Region-Free release which you will be able to play on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location.
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: an English LPCM 2.0 and French LPCM 2.0 (the French track being an "official" one). For the record, BFI have provided optional English HOH subtitles for the main feature.
I could not hear anything on the English LPCM 2.0 track to criticize in this review. The dialog is crisp, clear and very easy to follow. There are absolutely no balance issues between John A. Coleman and Basil Kirchin's soundtrack and the dialog either. Additionally, I did not hear any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings. All in all, everything has been handled with utmost precision. This being said, I quickly switched to the French LPCM 2.0 track to see how it compares with the English LPCM 2.0 track. My impressions are that it is quite different – dynamically and in terms of balance – and transforming Primitive London into an entirely different film. I hope that at least some French speakers take advantage of it.
Booklet – a 38-page booklet containing Lain Sinclair's essay "Primal Screen" (the author has been writing on the history and psychogeography of London since the late 1960s), Vic Pratt's "Welcome to Primitive London!" (the author is a curator at the BFI National Archive), William Fowler's "Primitive London: another London, another country" (the author is a Curator of Artists' Moving Image at the BFI National Archive), "Primitive London Review" (from Monthly Film Bulletin, May 1965), William Fowler's "Arnold Louis Miller (1922-)", Vic Pratt's "Stanley A Long (1933-)", "13 Notes on Primitive London", John Irvin and Tim Miller's "Carousella", "Carousella review" (from Monthly Film Bulletin, September 1965), James Piers Taylor's "Bernard Braden's 'Now and Then' interviews: Soho Stories", and Elise Pineda's "Notes on the Translation".
Original theatrical trailer – with English and French language options. (1080p)
Carousella (1965) – a documentary film by John Irvin about a group of strippers. Subtitled in English. (26 min, 1080p).
An Interview with Al Burnett, a Soho nightclub owner (1967) - the gentleman talks about the ins and outs of the business he has been a part of as well as some of the best ways to evade the law – Subtitled in English. (18 min, 1080p).
An Interview with Stuart McCabe, a Soho striptease club manager (1968) – the gentleman addresses different rules and regulations affecting his line of business. Subtitled in English. (16 min, 1080p).
Interview with "Shirley", a Soho stripper (1968) – the lady talks about her choice of profession. Subtitled in English. (6 min, 1080p).
Arnold L. Miller's Primitive London is a fascinating addition to the Flipside, BFI's newly introduced line of bizarre British films. I cannot wait for their second batch of titles! This being said, the Blu-ray disc herein reviewed looks and sounds great. There are some excellent supplemental features on it as well. Very Highly Recommended.
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