The Battle of the Sexes Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

The Battle of the Sexes Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 13, 2016

The 1960 British comedy “The Battle of the Sexes” takes a look at a world where men and women compete in the workplace, playing up the oddity of such an event during a special time of growing national consciousness. However, this is no document of progression, but yet another chance for star Peter Sellers to play dress up, burying himself in middle-age make-up and heavy clothing to portray a mild man brought to a boiling point by female interruption.

Sellers plays Mr. Martin, an accountant with a Scottish tweed weaving company facing a new dawn after the death of its founder. Constance Cummings is Angela, an American efficiency expert looking to make drastic changes, altering the way the company does business. Mr. Martin isn’t pleased for a variety of reasons, and he decides to protect routine with plans to kill Angela. It’s a set-up for a farcical take on gender relations and workplace frustration, but director Charles Crichton (“A Fish Called Wanda”) tends to play the effort at a lower speed, allowing Sellers and his delayed concept of timing to set the tempo of “The Battle of the Sexes.” Sporadic laughs remain, but nothing catches fire here, despite ample opportunity to do so.

The Battle of the Sexes Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1:67:1 aspect ratio) provides a largely clean, inviting viewing experience. Detail is preserved, surveying fibrous costumes and headwear, while make-up particulars on the cast are easily inspected. Cinematographic balance is preserved, supplying secure delineation. Grain is fine and filmic. Source is mostly in good shape, but mild chemical damage is detected, along with speckling and light scratches. Posturization is evident during the end credits.

The Battle of the Sexes Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD HD sound mix maintains the basics of the "Battle of the Sexes," though scoring selections come through with pleasing power and instrumentation, supporting the strange tonality of the picture. Dialogue exchanges are clear, managing accents and comedic interests without distortion. Atmospherics are pronounced and sharp.

The Battle of the Sexes Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

No supplementary material is included on the disc.

The Battle of the Sexes Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Those uncomfortable with dated depictions of female ambition and eventual submission to teary emotion should steer clear of "Battle of the Sexes." Its period-specific take on men vs. women certainly stands out in this day and age. Fans of Sellers and period British comedies should have more fun with the picture which, despite some inclinations, doesn't grow oppressively dark, remaining a relatively chipper tale of murder, resentment, and Scottish culture.