Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Rainbow Boys Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2023

Gerald Potterton (who passed away in 2022) is perhaps best known as the director of 1981’s “Heavy Metal,” and rightfully so, as he oversaw a wonderful animated effort to bring R-rated comic book worlds to the screen. But there was more to his career, with 1971’s “The Rainbow Boys” exploring the helmer’s oddball sense of humor and love of the Canadian wilderness, following characters on the hunt for a fortune in gold, using what’s left of their wits to get there. “The Rainbow Boys” is a strange feature, mixing personal problems with slapstick comedy, and Potterton certainly seems like he’s having a ball with the endeavor, though it’s debatable just how much of that enthusiasm reaches the audience.

The plot is simple, with prospector Ralph (Donald Pleasance) teaming with local Gladys (Kate Reid) and traveler Mazella (Don Calfa) to visit the Little Lemon Mine, where a family fortune in gold is waiting for them. The journey there provides many complications, with Potterton’s screenplay highlighting various accidents and frustrations, also giving the endeavor a slight “Easy Rider” tilt as the gang interacts with outsiders, including indigenous people. “The Rainbow Boys” makes time to listen to stories, with Ralph offering tales of his father’s experiences, but the bulk of the run time is devoted to hostilities among the mine squad, with arguments plentiful, making sections of the feature a bit difficult to endure.

The Rainbow Boys Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation represents a restoration of "The Rainbow Boys," which apparently only made it as far as VHS during its home video release history. Delivering a 4K scan of the 35mm interpositive, efforts to refresh the picture are appreciable, offering a nicely defined look at the Canadian wilderness, which retains ideal dimension. Character textures are also appealing, capturing soiled appearances and creased faces. Colors are alert, with a wonderful sense of greenery. Primaries are strong with clothing and signage, and skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is capably resolved. Source is in good condition.

The Rainbow Boys Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix supplies a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, delivering a fresh sense of aural engagement with these strange performances. Music delivers clear instrumentation, selling various moods of comedy and drama with ideal support. Atmospherics are appreciable.

The Rainbow Boys Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (10 pages) offers essays by Katherine Reynolds and Sam Bessant.

• Commentary features director Gerald Potterton, producer Anthony Robinow, and composer Howard Blake.

• "An Hour with Gerry" (53:03, HD) is an extended interview with director Gerald Potterton.

• "The Legend of Don Calfa" (26:58, HD) is a video conference interview with author Gary Smart, who explores the career and legacy of the actor.

• "Restoring 'The Rainbow Boys'" (3:08, HD) takes viewers to the Library and Archives Canada Preservation Center, with head conservator Douglas Smalley exploring the work of the agency and time spent on the 1973 Gerald Potterton film.

• "From VHS to Blu-ray" (4:30, HD) compares footage from the initial home video release of "The Rainbow Boys" to its latest technological leap, with the new release capturing the picture's original theatrical look.

• "Pinter People" collects animated selections directed by Gerald Potterton and written by Harold Pinter, including "Trouble in the Works" (4:27), "Request Stop" (3:16), "The Black and White" (4:54), and "The Applicant" (4:24).

• And a Re-Release Trailer (1:03, HD) is included.

The Rainbow Boys Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Potterton has a playful cast in Pleasance, Reid, and Calfa, who work to generate an itchy dynamic among the adventurers, and they handle demands for physical activity quite well, giving "The Rainbow Boys" the few laughs it contains. Potterton has professionalism both in front of and behind the camera, and there's a terrific sense of the outdoors with the endeavor, capturing a fresh sense of travel and exploration. The entertainment value of "The Rainbow Boys" is a real your-mileage-may-vary situation, with the film professionally assembled and playful, but also quite the patience-tester at times, especially when Potterton loses sight of the movie he wants to make.