Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Winslow Boy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 12, 2020

David Mamet is capable of doing many things, but he’s primarily known for doing one thing. He’s a writer who loves the razor edges of hard characters, often using meaty, profane dialogue to explore tough guys and their issues with male fragility. With “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “American Buffalo,” and “Oleanna,” Mamet established himself as a formidable force on the theatrical scene. In movies, he’s handled “House of Games” and “Homicide,” making it a bit difficult to understand how this proudly R-rated man decided to have his way with the G-rated-ness of 1999’s “The Winslow Boy.” An offering from revered dramatist Terence Rattigan, the material is known for its rigid Britishness, providing Mamet with an adaptation challenge he’s eager to conquer but doesn’t exactly pull off.

Expelled from the Royal Naval College, 13-year-old Ronnie (Guy Edwards) fiercely denies accusations that he’s stolen a postal order. His father, Arthur (Nigel Hawthorne), is troubled by the situation but chooses to believe his son. When personal pleas for compromise are refused, Arthur turns to barrister Sir Robert (Jeremy Northam) for help, with the legal mind setting out to prove Ronnie’s innocence while the challenge threatens to destroy the delicate framework of Arthur’s family life, including a future marriage for his daughter, Catherine (Rebecca Pidgeon).

“The Winslow Boy” (previously brought to the screen in 1948) doesn’t indulge broad emotion, instead surveying the stiff-upper-lip efforts of Arthur to protect his family’s future after Ronnie’s accusation grows into major news event. Mamet respects the source material to such a degree, he doesn’t really bring anything special to it, clearly here to manage a British costume drama after decades spent in American misery. “The Winslow Boy” doesn’t play to Mamet’s strengths, but he keeps the feature on course with restrained interactions brought to life via tight dialogue exchanges that explore relationships and hidden fears, giving time to everyone involved in the situation. Legal plans spice up the material, but these moments are short-lived, with most of the endeavor supplying a slow-burn understanding of psychological deterioration, along with financial and social pressures.

The Winslow Boy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Winslow Boy" comes from an older scan of the feature, which deals with mild baked-in filtering along the way. It remains a bright viewing experience, dealing with sunlit rooms. Costuming offers autumnal and formal hues, and interiors retain the woodsy feel of decorations and construction. Greenery is comfortable. Blacks are deep, and delineation mostly survives on thick formal wear, with periodic solidifcation. Facial surfaces register acceptably with some softness, surveying age and emotion. Source is in decent condition, but speckling is a common sight.

The Winslow Boy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM sound mix offers a sharp listening event for "The Winslow Boy," handling dialogue exchanges with precision, maintaining a rich sense of performance. Scoring cues provide orchestral warmth and dramatic support, never overwhelming scenes. Atmospherics are satisfactory, preserving crowd bustle and room tone.

The Winslow Boy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director David Mamet and actors Jeremy Northam, Rebecca Pidgeon, and Nigel Hawthorne.

• Making Of (6:45, SD) is an EPK promotional piece, eschewing a deep dive into the creation of "The Winslow Boy." While some BTS footage is included, the featurette is primarily packed with film clips, with brief interviews from Mamet, Pidgeon, Hawthorne, Gemma Jones, and producer Sarah Green sharing details about the story, character, and timelessness of the original Terence Rattigan play. Also explored is Mamet's attraction to such mild material, with his name usually associated with R-rated offerings.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:05, SD) is included.

The Winslow Boy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Winslow Boy" is handsomely mounted, carried along by an expressive score composed by Alaric Jans. Storytelling is clear and performances, especially from Hawthorne, deliver feeling when necessary. This isn't material meant to become melodrama, but Mamet doesn't nail the power of relationships and moments of doubt. He's arranging a tea set with "The Winslow Boy," which is a laudable endeavor, but it doesn't result in captivating film. What's here is appreciable, but never extraordinary.