Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

The Reckoning Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 28, 2017

Jack Gold's "The Reckoning" (1970) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; new video interview with actor Tom Kempinski; new video interview with second assistant dierctor Joe Marks; new program with film historian Matthew Sweet; and a collection of original promotional materials. The release also arrives with a 30-page illustrated booklet featuring Michael Pattison's essay "Pheasants and Predators, Victims and Peasants"; Kenneth Tynan's "Nicol Williamson and John McGrath; a collection of quotes from interviews with Jack Gold; a collection of extracts from director Jack Gold's personal collection of press cuttings; and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The Irishman

Let’s say that Gordon Gekko had a distant Irish cousin that he never knew existed. I know, it is unlikely, but let’s assume that there was one. And let’s say that during the ‘70s he was a businessman in London that was slowly climbing the corporate ladder until one day he blew a fuse. You want to know more about this mysterious cousin now? Watch Jack Gold’s The Reckoning and you will meet the man.

The above may sound like a very strange invitation to see this film, but as soon as Nicol Williamson’s businessman Michael Marler stepped in front of the camera I just could not stop thinking of Gekko. These two guys obviously come from very different worlds and they could not look (and sound) any more different, but I believe that in a way both Gold and Oliver Stone saw them as the exact same dangerous corporate killers. It is just that one of them got much further up the ladder and eventually started running his company.

There is another important difference. In this film Marler is also the main character, which means that the manner in which he is profiled is entirely different. There are three acts and each gradually reveals a very different side of Marler’s personality. Initially, he seems like an overworked businessman who needs a long break to calm his nerves and then strengthen his relationship with his spoiled wife (Ann Bell). He even tries to fool her that he is planning to do precisely that and jumps in bed with her to make a point, but it quickly becomes clear that there is too much anger in him and the whole act disintegrates. In the second act Marler heads to Liverpool, his home town, and discovers that his father (Ernest C. Jennings) has had a heart attack after a drunken brawl in a local pub. Then the old man dies before Marler can even talk to him, and he goes berserk. It’s all downhill from here -- the businessman becomes an animal and goes hunting for the killer. Somewhere along the way he also bumps into a frustrated middle-aged housewife (Rachel Roberts) who tells him that together they can be truly happy, but then his macho instincts sent him into the arms of another lonely soul (Zena Walker) who just wants to be appreciated. The final act is where the animal becomes an Irish rebel, and then a nasty corporate killer who just has to prove that he is like the best of them -- invincible, even when he challenges faith.

The film can be quite chaotic at times, but it is also refreshingly cocky, absolutely convinced that at the end the viewer will capitulate and embrace it as it is. The strategy definitely worked with me. There were a few segments where I felt that perhaps it was trying a bit too hard to create contrasts that make it possible to view Marler from different angles and see that he really is one big chameleon that never gives up, but I already knew that the guy was in a league of his own. This is the very reason why I could not stop comparing him to Gekko -- he is just as bad, but there is something about his persistence and confidence that makes him almost impossible not to admire.

Williamson is on fire, but there are also a lot of really good supporting actors that make this film memorable. For example, Paul Rogers is excellent as the spineless boss, and J. G. Devlin is completely convincing as the drunkard Cocky Burke who confirms that a young Englishman is responsible for the ‘accident’ that kills Marler’s father.

The film was lensed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth, whose credits include such classics as 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Night to Remember, Cabaret, and Tess.

The Reckoning Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.75:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jack Gold's The Reckoning arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from a dated source, likely some type of a remaster that might have been prepared sometime during the DVD era. Unfortunately, it is also a very uneven, at times even problematic remaster. For example, large portions of the film can look quite flat while elsewhere there is footage that occasionally can look even borderline smeary. To be perfectly clear, there are some density fluctuations that are part of the original cinematography, but it quickly becomes very obvious that the remaster is in fact responsible for the overall flatness of the image. Furthermore, there is plenty of quite distracting edge halos (see screencaptures #15 and 17), and in some cases the end result essentially evolves into edge-enhancement (see screencapture #3). The effects can be quite annoying on mid-size screens, and on large screens they can be seriously distracting. Grain is not properly exposed and resolved. Again, there are various fluctuations that you will notice and they are definitely not inherited. The color palette is quite weak as well. There are a few decent primaries, but it is obvious that there are entire ranges of nuances that are lost and that the overall balance is off. Image stability is good. There are no large damage marks, cuts, or torn frames, but minor specks and blemishes can be spotted. All in all, this film desperately needs a fresh restoration, or at least a decent new remaster, so that it looks acceptable in high-definition. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).

The Reckoning Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Stability is good, but in different parts of the film the audio can become quite 'thin'. During mass scenes with plenty of organic sounds and noises clarity also becomes somewhat problematic; even balance can be less than optimal. On the other hand, it is quite easy to tell that the original sound design isn't great, so there are definitely native limitations that contribute to the fluctuations. Ultimately, if the audio is fully remastered there should be some noticeable improvements. (It is great that the release has optional subtitles because in some parts it is actually quite difficult to hear exactly what is being said).

The Reckoning Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original trailer for The Reckoning. Music only. (4 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of original promotional materials for The Reckoning.

• On Your Marks: Joe Marks on The Reckoning - in this new short video interview, second assistant dierctor Joe Marks quickly recalls his work with Jack Gold, cast members and some of the producers during the shooting of The Reckoning. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Memories of Marler: Tom Kempinski on The Reckoning - in this new short video interview, actor Tom Kempinski (Brunzy) discusses Nicol Williamson's working methods/destructive side and the shooting of The Reckoning. In English, not subtitled. (4 min)

• Culture Clash: Matthew Sweet on The Reckoning - in this new video program, film historian Matthew Sweet discusses the socio-political climate in the United Kingdom during the 1960s, Jack Gold's television background, Nicol Williamson's raw performance, the production history of The Reckoning, etc. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Booklet - 30-page illustrated booklet featuring Michael Pattison's essay "Pheasants and Predators, Victims and Peasants"; Kenneth Tynan's "Nicol Williamson and John McGrath; a collection of quotes from interviews with Jack Gold; a collection of extracts from director Jack Gold's personal collection of press cuttings; and technical credits.

The Reckoning Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Nicol Williamson's character, Michael Marler, is like one of those giant rolling fireballs that Roman soldiers used to intimidate and destroy their rivals -- he can't be stopped and when he hits the other side instantly feels the pain. Incredible performance, really. The Reckoning is a superb addition to Indicator/Powerhouse Films' catalog, but unfortunately the master that Sony Pictures provided for the Blu-ray release is quite problematic. In order to look as good as it should the film needs to be fully restored, or at least remastered, because at the moment what is available simply isn't suitable for a proper Blu-ray release. Perhaps if you find the Blu-ray release heavily discounted you can consider a purchase, but otherwise go for a rental.