6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
New Wave director Richard Lester joins former members of THE GOON SHOW to create a series of comic sketches about a post-nuclear London: a girl is 17 months pregnant, a father turns into a parrot, a man becomes a chest of drawers and another man--a bed sitting room.
Starring: Rita Tushingham, Ralph Richardson (I), Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Spike MilliganSurreal | 100% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Based on the play by Spike Mulligan and John Antrobus, Richard Lester’s imaginative “The Bed Sitting Room” (1969) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based distributors BFI (British Film Institute). The film has been transferred to High-Definition by MGM and supplied for this release via Hollywood Classics. The picture has been restored by the BFI using HD-DVNR and MTI restoration systems, removing dirt, scratches, warps, torn or missing frames and stability issues. Region-B “locked.
After World War III
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Richard Lester's The Bed Sitting Room arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of BFI.
I feel very comfortable stating that the film has never looked better. This is not to say that the transfer BFI have provided for this Blu-ray release is perfect, but it is most definitely very pleasing. As noted in the booklet supplied by BFI, The Bed Sitting Room has been transferred in High-Definition by MGM and consequently restored by the British distributors using HD-DVNR and MTI restoration systems. This being said, contrast is strong, clarity consistent and detail acceptable. There are a few rougher areas that I noticed where the age of the film shows, and you would definitely notice a few image fluctuations – mostly softer areas that will likely be easier to spot when the film is projected on large screen – but, your viewing experience won't be affected dramatically. Furthermore, the color-scheme looks great as well. The marquee reds, greens, blues, yellows, blacks and whites are rich and stable (there is no color bleeding that I spotted). Additionally, edge-enhancement and macroblocking are not a serious issue of concern. Finally, even though there are a few minor specks that noticed popping up here and there, the print appears to be in very good condition. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" release. Therefore, unless you have a native Region-B or Region-Free player, you won't be able to playback this disc).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English LPCM 2.0 (48 kHz). BFI has also supplied optional HOH track for the main feature.
It is fairly easy to tell that LPCM 2.0 has been given plenty of attention. The dialog is very well balanced, crisp, clear and easy to follow. There are no disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts that I could detect either. This being said, there are two minor audio fluctuations that I spotted, both during the second half of the film, but these will certainly not detract from your viewing experience. Ken Thorne's lovely soundtrack also sounds good. Now, a couple of days ago, I was sent a note from a fellow reviewer, who asked me to check my disc for synchronization issues – and I did. I watched the entire film and most definitely did not detect any major issues with the audio presentation to report in this review. Therefore, I must conclude that if such were indeed noticed, they must have been generated by the Blu-ray player BFI's disc was played on. All in all, as far as I am concerned, everything in the audio department appears to be handled adequately.
Original Trailer – (AVC-encoded, 3 min).
Richard Lester Interview (1967) – the British director talks about a number of issues, from politics to film directing. (AVC-encoded, 18 min).
Spike Milligan Interview (1967) – the actor (Mate) talks about England's past, present and future, as well as the obstacles modern democracies are facing. Subtitled in English. (AVC-encoded, 42 min).
Peter Cook Interview (1967) – the actor (Inspector) talks about England's political climate, America and President Kennedy, the war in Vietnam, etc. Subtitled in English. (AVC-encoded, 32 min).
Notebook – as usual, BFI have provided a lovely 28-page booklet containing Michael Brook's essay "The Bed Sitting Room", Russell Cambell's review of the film (published in Monthly Film Bulletin, April 1970), Neil Sinyard's "Richard Lester", and Bernard Braden's "Now and Then" interviews with Richard Lester, Spike Mulligan, and Peter Cook (originally written for BFI InView by Dylan Cave, Jez Stewart, and Vic Pratt).
Richard Lester's The Bed Sitting Room arrives on Blu-ray as part of BFI's newly introduced Flipside collection. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed looks good, and there are some very provocative interviews on it with Richard Lester, Peter Cook and Spike Milligan that I urge you to see. Most unfortunately for film aficionados residing in Region-A, the Blu-ray disc is Region-B "locked".
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