7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Endlessly finding himself on the wrong end of a situation, businessman Henry Palfrey seeks help at the College of Lifemanship run by the cunning Mr. Potter. An ideal pupil, it doesn't take long before Henry's picked up a few good tricks and sets out to show the world he's a winner. Taking aim at everyone who beat him in the past, he ultimately focuses on the ultra-charming bachelor who stole his girlfriend. As he discovers revenge can be quite enjoyable, the much improved Henry will soon learn what it really means to be a success.
Starring: Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, Alastair Sim, Janette Scott, Dennis Price (I)Comedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: LPCM 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Robert Hamer's "School for Scoundrels" (1960) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; new video interview with Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw; video interview with Terry-Thomas biographer Graham McCann; gallery of stills; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
"What sort of an idiot would drive a thing like this?"
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, School for Scoundrels arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal.
The film has been digitally restored in 2K and looks very good in high-definition. There are a few small density fluctuations in during the opening credits, but the rest of the film looks great. In fact, even previously problematic transitions now look really good. There are some traces of grain management, but the work is very delicate and grain is always visible. Depth remains pleasing, though occasionally some very small fluctuations can be spotted. However, it appears that they are in fact source-related (compare screencaptures #6 and 18 to see how small they are). There are no traces of compromising sharpening adjustments. Overall image stability is very good. Lastly, there are no large cuts, damage marks, debris, stains, or torn frames. All in all, this is a year another lovely restoration and presentation of a classic British film from the folks at StudioCanal. (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).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
John Addison's playful score benefits the most from the lossless treatment -- the music is crisp and clear and there are no distortions in the high-frequencies. (You can test the short themes that are heard after Ian Carmichael sells the car back to the dealers around the 00.53.00 mark). Balance is very good. Dynamic intensity is rather limited, but this should not be too surprising consider the age of the film. The dialog is stable, clean, and easy to follow. Also, there are no audio dropouts or digital distortions to report in our review.
Terry-Thomas is sensational in this outstanding comedy about a clumsy and naive young man who decides to enter the College of Lifemanship where an odd professor and his assistants perform miracles and transform losers into winners. The brilliant cast also includes Ian Carmichael, Alastair Sim, Janette Scott, Dennis Price, and Edward Chapman. School for Scoundrels has been recently restored in 2K and is now available on Blu-ray in the United Kingdom courtesy of StudioCanal. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
1973
1983
Vintage Classics
1959
Vintage Classics
1950
Premium Collection
1982
2018
2017
Vintage Classics
1951
1955
Vintage Classics
1949
60th Anniversary Collector's Edition | Vintage Classics
1953
2003
Eureka Classics
1968
2010
2012
2007
Masters of Cinema
1961
Vintage Classics
1956
Indicator Series | Limited Edition
1962
2014