The Strange Affair Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Strange Affair Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 16, 2025

“The Strange Affair” is an adaptation of a novel by Bernard Toms, and it certainly plays out like paging through a book. The picture explores corruption in many forms, and it follows a large community of characters in the process, with the screenplay trying to braid multiple subplots into a single understanding of ruination. The 1968 feature is a little wobbly as it attempts to juggle motivations and mistakes, but director David Greene (“Godspell,” “I Start Counting”) maintains a steely view of bizarre developments in the tale, and he has an incredible cast to help bring such oddity to life, selling the emotional moods of the endeavor. “The Strange Affair” remains a compelling sit as it details crooked behavior and bad decisions, managing to maintain focus on the basics of desperation as it works its way to an ice cold conclusion.

Constable Peter (Michael York) is new to policing, tasked with patrolling the streets, hunting for crime to disrupt. He’s a man of the law and ready for a new adventure. Sgt. Pierce (Jeremy Kemp) is a seasoned member of Scotland Yard, determined to bring gangster Quince (Jack Watson) to justice. However, corruption in the unit thwarts his efforts, with his superior, Inspector Evans (Artro Morris), on the take, working to get rid of Pierce. Unable to nail Quince and his sons for their crimes, Pierce grows increasingly desperate, trying anything to make sure the crime lord suffers behind bars. Peter has his own troubles, soon meeting Frederika (Susan George), a 16-year-old girl who’s eager to seduce the handsome cop, bringing him into her privileged world. Peter is overwhelmed and tempted, but his decision to sleep with the teenager carries a terrible price, forcing him to turn to Pierce for help.

It’s a bleak world of rundown buildings and construction developments in “The Strange Affair,” sending Peter out on a mission to maintain the law in an increasingly lawless land. It’s a view of London that’s fascinating to watch, as Greene captures a generational change occurring in the area, offering a vivid backdrop to a somewhat lively understanding of corruption, which begins with Pierce and his efforts to stop Quince and his gang from bringing drugs into the country. The writing spends a lot of time with Pierce, tracking his rising frustrations and realizations, especially when it comes to his “bent” colleagues and bosses, who aren’t interested in stopping crime. Kemp provides a fierce performance, portraying a man losing touch with integrity to uphold the law.

“The Strange Affair” gradually connects Pierce’s woe with Peter’s misadventures with a teen lover, finding himself blinded by desire, pulled into a situation that threatens to destroy his life. Peter’s side of the movie is pulpier, getting into lurid business with disturbed people, and he’s also introduced to gangland intimidation, receiving a power drill through the cheeks for his interest in criminal activity. “The Strange Affair” is fairly ruthless with its characters, which gives it some dramatic heft, keeping things unsettling as trouble comes for everyone, while Peter receives a specialized education in the dangers of lust.

The Strange Affair Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (2.35:1 aspect ratio) for "The Strange Affair" is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative." Detail is strong throughout the viewing experience, exploring differences in age with the characters, and their somewhat weathered appearances. Costuming is fibrous, examining heavy uniforms and thick suits. Interiors are dimensional, offering a look at decorative additions around police offices and living spaces. Exteriors are decently deep, visiting the urban decay of the area, along with development projects. Signage is also open for inspection. Color remains consistent, supplying a colder view of police events, which favor grays and browns. Urban tours also maintain brick and concrete moods. Brighter hues are found around Frederika and her world, and leisure activities, such as bowling, carry defined primaries. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Lengthy scratches do appear midway through the feature, but the source is in good condition otherwise.

The Strange Affair Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a straightforward listening event for "The Strange Affair." Dialogue exchanges are decently clear, handling accents and dramatic intensity, which periodically reaches technical limitations. Scoring favors a jazzy sound, and clarity is acceptable, with appreciable instrumentation and dramatic support. Sound effects are understood.

The Strange Affair Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Kat Ellinger.

• "Greene Recruits" (34:58, HD) is a making-of for "The Strange Affair," featuring interviews with production runner Peter Cotton, clapper loaders John Golding and Arkadi De Rakoff, sound editor Keith Palmer, and focus puller Harvey Harrison. The interviewees go into detail about the hiring situation on "The Strange Affair," with most acquiring employment through connections, brought on to a production where several of the crew members were relatively new to their jobs. Some memories from the shoot are provided, exploring location and studio work, and actor interactions are recalled, getting along with stars Michael York and Susan George. Technical information is supplied, and the men recall challenges during filming, including a sequence captured without lighting information, making for risky day. They're also fairly open about their lust for George, delighted to spend time with the half-naked actress. Post-production is tracked, briefly discussing sound design accomplishments, and reflections on professional duties are supplied, finding the interviewees appreciating the picture and its employment opportunity.

• "Swinging London" (4:55, HD) is a reflection on the moviemaking experience of "The Strange Affair" from actor Michael York. It's a text-based offering of thoughts from the star (who's currently battling illness), who was working on "Romeo and Juliet" at the time, ready for something more "contemporary" to handle as his career blossomed. York notes the tremendous changes happening around London at the time of filming, and shares unabashed praise for the cast and crew.

• "In Like Quince" (18:29, HD) is an interview with actor David Glaisyer, who began steady work in the theater, soon realizing that film and television employment provided more career opportunities, finding his way into the industry. The interviewee provides his thoughts on director David Greene, who urged the actors to be more aggressive in their parts, giving "The Strange Affair" a bit more edge. Location shooting is recalled, facing crowds of extras, and co-stars are assessed, taking special note of on-set temperaments. Additional production experiences are remembered, with the interviewee maintaining a cheery attitude about the work, enjoying adventures around London and time interacting with others.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

The Strange Affair Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Strange Affair" plays games of escalation, and murder is returned to throughout the tale, adding intensity to Pierce's mission. The story doesn't necessarily have a clear path to a conclusion, missing a few steps as it marches to punishment for all, but Greene doesn't pull back when dealing with the darkness of the tale, committed to delivering a passably chilling view of crime and punishment. "The Strange Affair" certainly lives up to its title on many occasions.