Two-Way Stretch Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Two-Way Stretch Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 17, 2025

Robert Day's "Two-Way Stretch" (1960) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with critics Vic Pratt and Peter Lydon; archival program about Peter Sellers; recent audio commentary by critics Gemma Ross and Robert Ross; and vintage trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The best of the worst

The opening fifteen minutes provide visual evidence that being an imperfect thief is still a mighty fine profession. Of course, a perfect thief, meaning one who never gets caught, is, well, the gold standard. However, even the most skilled thief eventually grows old, a bit rusty, and a bit superstitious, and when these changes begin occurring, it does not mean that a perfect thief’s career is over. Some minor adjustments are needed. That’s all.

It is why Dodger (Peter Sellers) and his pals Lennie (Bernard Cribbins) and Jelly (David Lodge), all three sharing a tiny cell in Huntleigh Prison, still work. Their partner, Soapy Stevens (Wilfrid Hyde-White), a free man, has just visited their residence pretending to be a preacher and told them about an unmissable job. In a week or so, they can steal a massive load of diamonds worth millions of pounds and finally retire in style. However, Dodger, Lennie, and Jelly are supposed to be paroled in a few weeks, so they will need to figure out how to get out unnoticed, do the job, and then return unnoticed to have the Governor (Maurice Denham) officially declare them free men again.

After some intense discussions, a perfect plan is created. However, when everyone’s favorite prison guard is unexpectedly replaced with a notorious meanie from another prison (Lionel Jeffries), everyone agrees that additional, perhaps rather dangerous improvisational work may be needed. Nevertheless, at the right time, Dodger, Lennie, and Jelly sneak out, reunite with Soapy Stevens and the remaining female members of their crew (Liz Frazer and Irene Handl) and roll up their sleeves to get filthy rich.

Robert Day directs Two-Way Stretch with confidence and precision that transform it into a very attractive caper. Simply put, there is no fat in it. However, Two-Way Stretch is also one of those capers that never surprises – it goes down the most obvious path and produces the most obvious character arcs with a fine selection of the most predictable fireworks. In other words, considering the talent that was gathered for it, and how smoothly everything clicks, it very much feels like its creators could and should have been far more adventurous.

Admittedly, one can just as easily conclude that Two-Way Stretch turned out exactly as needed because its stars share a wonderful chemistry and do not compete for the spotlight. A more elaborate job and more complex character arcs would have undoubtedly brought a degree of competitiveness to the narrative, which inevitably would have impacted the wonderful chemistry. As shot, Two-Way Stretch easily creates the impression that it is a team effort where everyone is equally satisfied with the balance of power/talent. (For reference, even though vintage and new promotional materials for Two-Way Stretch single out Sellers, he is not its star).

After Dodger and his pals get out, a few additional unexpected complications could have provided more diverse material. However, only their trip to the train station and attempt to transfer the diamonds look interesting, so most likely the entire final act would have had to be rewritten.

Two-Way Stretch Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Two-Way Stretch arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal.

Earlier this year, we reviewed this U.S. release of Two-Way Stretch, produced by Kino Lorber. This upcoming release is sourced from the same master that the folks at Kino Lorber accessed for their release.

I like this master a lot. While it may not be brand new, it produces excellent, very healthy visuals. All of these visuals have strong organic qualities, too. This is why, in the review linked above, I have speculated that if someone prepares a new master in the future and tweaks a few things here and there, the overall quality of the visuals will remain unchanged. Indeed, delineation, clarity, and depth are already great. The grayscale is convincing as well. I feel that the dynamic range of the visuals could be slightly better, but this is an upgrade that only a native 4K presentation will ensure. There are no stability issues. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Two-Way Stretch Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Obviously, the lossless track is identical to the one that was included on the U.S. release of Two-Way Stretch. Unsurprisingly, all exchanges are very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. Some viewers may conclude that dynamic intensity is rather average, but Two-Way Stretch was not shot with a massive budget, and it easily shows, so the lack of impressive dynamic contrasts, of any kind, is hardly surprising.

Two-Way Stretch Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Pter Sellers: Criminally Good - in this new program, Vic Pratt, co-author of The Bodies Beneath: The Flipside of British Film and Television, and Peter Lydon, director of BBC Arena's The Peter Sellers Story, discuss Two-Way Stretch and explain why it needs to be rediscovered. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Two-Way Stretch: Sellers on the Inside - this program features footage originally shot on Digibeta for Paul Joyce's documentary Seller's Best, which was shown on Channel 4 in 1992. Producer Roy Boulting, writer/director Bryan Forbes, and producer Sidney Gilliat, amongst others, discuss Sellers and his ability to make people laugh, as well as the production of Two-Way Stretch. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Commentary - this recent audio commentary was recorded by authors and critics Gemma Ross and Robert Ross. It was included on Kino Lorber's release of Two-Way Stretch.

• Stills Gallery - presented here is a collection of behind-the-scenes stills. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for Two-Way Stretch. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

Two-Way Stretch Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dodger and his crew will easily make you laugh as they go to work to steal a massive load of diamonds worth a couple of million pounds. However, when the final credits of Two-Way Stretch appear, more than likely, you will wonder why the big character actors who made it were not challenged with greater, more demanding material. The answer is what the thieves are after: money. Two-Way Stretch was done with a modest budget, and while this is not a bad thing, it easily shows. StudioCanal's upcoming Blu-ray release offers a fantastic presentation of Two-Way Stretch with a small but nice selection of bonus features. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.