Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

The Slasher Blu-ray Movie Review

Cosh Boy... not slasher-boy!

The Slasher (originally known as Cosh Boy in its original European release) is a British drama based on the play Master Crook by Bruce Walker. Produced by Daniel M. Angel (Mystery at the Burlesque, Cast a Dark Shadow), the production is in part a social satire about the dangers of juvenile delinquency. The film opens with a title-card about the dangers of troubled youth and the film's goal to shine a light on the evils of young men gone astray.

Roy Walsh (James Kenney) is the central figure in the story. The 16 year old troublemaker is a gang leader who is the head-hooligan at the top of the food chain. Brimming with diabolical energy, Roy runs along the streets with glee while seeking women to rob blind. Taking their purses and money in quick succession, the juvenile delinquent leads the way for more chaos and mayhem in the community.

As the story starts to unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that Roy lusts after the gorgeous Rene (Joan Collins). To the disappointment of Roy, Rene is already going-steady in a relationship. Determined to destroy her boyfriend, Roy enlists the help of his hooligan gang to have her boyfriend beaten into smithereens so that he can then step-in and date Rene. Trouble ensues.

While the majority of the storyline revolves around Roy and his increasing stupidity, Cosh Boy also showcases his relationship with his mother, Elsie (Betty Ann Davies). Trying to raise her son right, Eluse struggles to deal with her ever-stupid son. She eventually starts a relationship with the mild-mannered Bob (Robert Ayres), a would-be father figure to help guide him towards a proper path.

"Run! Head for the hills!"

Cosh Boy is strangely compelling for a production that feels like borderline propaganda against the potential ills of youth. The concepts and ideas explored have legitimate merit but the film has an abundantly over-the-top sensibility that is often cartoonish. The characters aren't fully realized. Everything seems cookie-cutter and by the numbers. Even so, the film ultimately finds a way to be entertaining as it showcases the increasingly poor decisions of Roy (as he mugs again and again while trying to coerce Rene into a relationship).

There are a number of impressive aspects to the production that help to elevate the standard storytelling. The costumes by Felix Evans (Desert Mice, Code of Scotland Yard) seem to fit the characters like a well-worn glove. The score by Lambert Williamson (The Dog and the Diamonds, Forbidden Cargo) adds to the excitement of the film's more intense sequences. Then there's the lush black and white cinematography by Jack Asher (The Crimson Blade, Lost Daughter) to spruce things up a bit. These elements add to an otherwise straightforward experience.

Lewis Gilbert (Moonraker, The Spy Who Loved Me) capably directs with a workmanlike approach. The film never feels like the effort of an auteur director and more like a committee-based production. Even so, the filmmaking is never a chore to sit through and it's a reasonably engaging experience from start to finish. The screenplay by Lewis Gilbert and Vernon Harris (Oliver!) doesn't delve into the serious psychological reasons for juvenile delinquency as well as it should but it does offer a rather entertaining glimpse at dumb teenage chaos. Cosh Boy is no gem but it's worth checking out on an otherwise rainy-day (if one has nothing else to do). Never an essential (but something that still has some merit).

The Slasher Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber, The Slasher (aka Cosh Boy) has received a strong 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 (full frame). While the film has not received a sparkling new 4K restoration, the release is nonetheless an impressive one with largely stellar picture-quality and depth to the image. It's an excellent presentation which satisfies on almost every point.

The black-and-white cinematography certainly looks lovely and the encode quality satisfies at showcasing the dynamic visuals. While the print is generally satisfying, the release is not in pristine condition and there are still occasional specks of dirt and minor scratches on the print. An imperfect but ultimately satisfying presentation.

The Slasher Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a DTS-HD Master Audio mono audio soundtrack. Though this is a generally satisfying lossless audio presentation, there are still a few moments during the track which aren't entirely up to the best standard's available on the format. The audio track is sometimes a bit thin sounding and less refined than desirable.

The audio is somewhat muffled sounding in a few scenes. While it's not a flawless audio track, it's generally pleasant sounding and there is nothing too distracting to take away from one's enjoyment: pops, hiss, and warps are not an issue. The track gets the job done.

The Slasher Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Alternate U.S. Opening (SD, 2:54) presents the opening scene (and title card) as presented for US distribution. The alternative opening scene shows the title as "The Slasher" and not the original title (Cosh Boy) as presented during the main feature presentation.

The release includes trailers for other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: It Always Rains on Sunday (SD, 2:38), The Queen of Spades (SD, 2:51), Razzia Sur La Chnouf (SD, 3:03), The Stud (SD, 2:53), and The Bitch (SD, 2:38).

The Slasher Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Though the film was titled The Slasher for the marketplace in North America, the original European title of Cosh Boy is a much more appropriate title (given the story itself). The film is not a slasher-film (for one thing). Instead, the story revolves around a teenage boy who delves into the perils of juvenile delinquency.

Cosh Boy can sometimes feel a little heavy-handed (and the conclusion is downright peculiar). Yet the filmmaking on display is reasonably engaging and the performances are generally solid. This is a decent film that is worth watching once. The Blu-ray features a reasonable video-audio presentation and it is worth checking out.