Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Private Road Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 28, 2011

Barney Platts-Mills' "Private Road" (1971) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the British Film Institute. The supplemental features on the disc include Barney Platts-Mills’ short film "St. Christopher" (1967) and David Tringham's short film "The Last Chapter" (1974). In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

We will manage

Peter (Bruce Robinson, The Story of Adele H) is a young and handsome writer who is convinced that he is good enough to make it big. He meets and falls in love with Ann (Susan Penhaligon, The Story of Juliane Koepcke), who can’t get enough of his body. When the two are not making love they talk about life, the future, and their dreams.

As the relationship progresses, Ann introduces Peter to her parents. They pretend to be impressed by the fact that he is a writer, but both are actually concerned that he has no real job. They definitely dislike Peter’s roommates, and especially Stephen (Michael Feast), the flamboyant junkie who has just started experimenting with heroin.

Ann moves in with Peter and her father (Robert Brown) decides that it is time to have a serious talk with the two. At first they politely disagree over what it means to be an adult. Then they begin attacking each other. Eventually, when Ann’s father brings a bag full of clothes to Peter’s place, she decides that it is time that they had a breather. Peter suggests Honolulu, but they end up in the Scottish countryside.

Away from the hustle and bustle of London, Peter and Ann begin realizing that they aren’t quite certain what type of a relationship they are having. Peter also loses his passion for writing, and Ann quickly announces that she expects a lot from him (meaning that he should start thinking about earning more money).

Eventually, Peter and Ann come to the conclusion that they do not wish to end up like their parents. They want to be free, happy, and having a meaningful life together. But when Ann falls pregnant and Peter ends up getting a job at an advertising agency, the two begin to realize that it may not be up to them to decide what their future together would look like.

If one is old enough to remember the 70s, one will certainly appreciate what Private Road has to offer. The film isn’t particularly original - the dilemmas Peter and Ann face are painfully familiar - but it perfectly captures the spirit of the time. The euphoria and disappointments young people experienced, the ideological clashes their parents inspired, the inevitable realization that once on their own they would have the same responsibilities that changed the lives of their parents -- there is a great sense of 70s authenticity permeating the film.

Robinson reminded be about French actor Pierre Clementi. His character is never as absentminded or angry as the ones Clementi typically played, but in a number of scenes he looks detached, pondering philosophical questions that only he is aware of. Occasionally, he also looks like he is driven only by his instincts.

Penhaligon brings a sense of balance to the film. For awhile she joins her lover in his chaotic world but eventually pushes him away from it, realizing that with adulthood come responsibilities that he should be prepared for.

The film’s casual observations about life during the 70s are introduced amidst a series of lovely melancholic acoustic-guitar solos and original tunes by David Dundas and Michael Feast, and George Fenton.

Note: Like the character he plays in Private Road, Robinson pursued a career as a writer. In 1985, his script for Roland Joffe’s The Killing Fields won an Oscar nomination and a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay. Two years later, he also wrote and directed the cult comedy Withnail and I.

Private Road Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Barney Platts-Mills' Private Road arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the BFI.

Sourced from the original 35mm negative and supervised and approved by director Platts-Mills, the high-definition transfer is indeed very strong. Fine object detail is excellent, clarity pleasing, and contrast consistent throughout the entire film. Edge-enhancement is never a serious issue of concern; neither is macroblocking. Color reproduction is also satisfying - the film has a pleasing organic look, unaffected by strong noise editing. There are no serious stability issues either. Lastly, aside from a few minor flecks, I did not see any large cuts, damage marks, warps, or stains to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).

Private Road Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English LPCM 2.0. For the record, the BFI have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.

I don't have any major reservations with the English LPCM 2.0 track. Though understandably its dynamic amplitude is somewhat limited, the dialog is clean, stable, and exceptionally easy to follow. There are no balance issues with David Dundas, Michael Feast and George Fenton's music score either. I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or audio dropouts to report in this review.

Private Road Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are perfectly playable on North American PS3s and SAs.

• The Last Chapter (1974) - a short film directed by David Tringham about an eccentric writer who is taught an important lesson by a not too innocent young girl. In English, not subtitled. (30 min, 1080p)

• St. Christopher (1967) – Barney Platts-Mills' first film as producer/director is about mentally handicapped children and adults assisted by a group of specialists at St. Christopher's school in Bristol, and the Camphill Community village in Bolton, Yorkshire. In English, not subtitled. (49 min, 1080p).

Private Road Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Private Road is a simple but charming film about life during the 70s. I loved its pure mood and unpretentious tone. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of the BFI, looks and sounds very good. It also contains two quite interesting short films (definitely see The Last Chapter). RECOMMENDED.