6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Two schoolboy delinquents learn a lesson that they will never forget when a teacher at the end of his tether decides to abduct them.
Starring: Robert Hands, Evan Bendall, Michaela Prchalová, Dolya Gavanski, Tom Cox (XV)Horror | 100% |
Thriller | 14% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
5.1: 2957 kbps; 2.0: 1629 kbps
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The Lesson is a small British horror indie gem that received acclaim when it screened at the Midnight FrightFest in the UK a few years ago.
Actress turned director Ruth Platt's (The Pianist) feature
debut follows the Tindall brothers, Jake (Tom Cox) and the younger Fin (Evan Bendall), who live in a lower-income neighborhood in rural
Oxfordshire. The Tindalls are without their mother, who died years ago, and cruel father, who left his boys to take a construction job in Tenerife.
Jake lives with his kindhearted girlfriend, Mia (Michaela Prchalová), who fled home to get away from her bipolar mum, Tanja (Dolya Gavanski).
Jake would rather not have Fin around and only lets him stay because he is the same bloodline, treating him as if he is the house's detritus. Fin is
turning sixteen and when he receives a jean jacket from Jake as a present, he looks at it as apparel that he's supposed to wear but doesn't really
like. While nice-looking and cleanly dressed, Fin is one of the community's juvenile delinquents who has been led on the wrong path by his best
friend, Joel (Rory Coltart). Fin, Joel, and their friends spend their downtime stealing cigarettes and booze from a convenience store and vandalizing
private property.
One morning before school, Fin carves "I AM A WANKER" on the side of one of the faculty member's cars. Fin and his buddies are nearly caught in
the act by an administrator but wiggle their way out and head in to their first class. Mr. Gale (Robert Hands), the new English teacher, is trying
to give the class a lecture on themes from Dickens' novels but Fin and his schoolmates are having none of it. The petulant youngsters are out of
their seats acting disruptive and taunting their teacher, who is portrayed as a victim. One student comes up to the front and sticks a piece of gum
in his hair. Mr. Gale's body language suggests a volcanic eruption is imminent but he steadies himself and continues his talk of the day.
Note that this review includes some spoilers.
Everyone should be nice to their new English teacher or else!
The Lesson makes its global debut on Blu-ray courtesy of Scream Factory (an offshoot of Shout!'s) on this AVC-encoded BD-25, which carries
an average video bitrate of 23992 kbps and total bitrate of 30.43 mbps. The label presents the film in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The
picture retains a fairly thick layer of grain and shows a lot of detail. Skin tones appear rather light and this seems to be the intention of the filmmakers.
Low-lit scenes are handled well, including a rack focus shot on Tanja and her boyfriend. Platt and Kudlacik flashback to scenes of Fin's childhood on a
few occasions and these are photographed in black and white (see Screenshot #7). Director and DP also use a heavy filter for a nighttime scene
leading up the climax. You'll notice some dense texture on Mia's face and the background in #17. To a lesser degree, this filter is also present in #18.
Overall, the transfer didn't produce any problems and exposed few flaws.
Scream has divided the main feature up into its customary dozen scene selections.
Scream provides two audio options: a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround (2957 kbps) and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo (1629 kbps). The 5.1 mix really brought the nature sounds and ambience wrought from the teens' hustling and bustling amidst the Oxfordshire countryside. Dialogue is well- amplified and the English SDH is a welcome add-on to translate some of the characters' thick British accents. The sound track for The Lesson contains mainly folk songs and some underscore. The uncompressed track helped to accent guitar playing and vocals on the surround channels. For an extremely low-budget film, the DTS-HD MA options didn't miss any beats.
The Lesson is an intelligent and creepy British horror thriller from first-time director Ruth Platt. The film is torture porn lite (especially compared to genre offerings since the mid 2000s) but will satisfy fans with its prolonged moments of sheer gore and terrific suspense. In addition to the fine performances by leads Robert Hands and Evan Bendall, Platt's screenplay shines with erudition and dark comic wit. Fans of Class of 1984 will see some similarities in the social issues portrayed in both films. Scream Factory delivers excellent presentations in the video and audio departments. The Lesson is not for the faint-hearted but it's worth taking a chance on to learn from the literary and pop culture references that its narrative invokes.
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2008
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2007
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2013
40th Anniversary Edition
1974
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1976