Don't Look Now (Special Edition) [DVD] [1973]

"Don't Look Now"(1973):Optimum/Studio Canal:Bluray edition. As my old DVD copy has 'gone missing', I 'upgraded' to Bluray('steelbox cover' 2015).The disc is the same bluray edition that was issued in 2011. Since I got a DVD copy over 10 years ago there has been an improved 'restored version' of the DVD as many people were critical of the audio & image on the early DVD issue. And it appears some people are unhappy with the image quality of this Bluray edition.......I can only say(on my 32"-non HDTV) I've found the colour range,depth & clarity mostly excellent .There are a couple of scenes that are not 'perfect', but much of this was filmed with mostly natural lighting in a difficult range of locations ,with the tools available ,while trying to mute naturally occurring reds(when not used in various essential scenes),while making an 'out of season' Venice look natural, beautiful, ugly, beguiling, sinister, stark, ornate,dangerous & dreamlike ,& that's before getting round how to film Julie Christie,Donald Sutherland & the rest of the cast. I think whatever 2or4K remaster or HD etc process is used you can't fundamentally alter the 'quality' of the original film print. This subject is addressed in various sections in the extras that comment on the cameras used & the qualities of a 50 ASA film speed. The Film.- of importance I think is that many years have passed since its release & its (in)famous 'controversial love making' & 'Shocking death scenes'. This has given the film (& viewers) time to 'breathe' & truly watch this afresh & appreciate it far beyond 'A Classic 70s British psychological/mystery/horror film'. I feel this film is now & will be viewed as- Nic Roegs greatest achievement & simply one of 'THE Great British Films'that improves on repeat viewings largely due to the many intricacies & excellent editing that take the linear nature experience of viewing a film into a different realm.(e.g. the 'Venice in Peril' sign on the church that Sutherlands character is working on is one of the more obvious 'warning signs' to the future..) The film is 110mins approx, 1.85:1ratio with 'HD standard 1080p' & 'mono LPCM'audio (that sounds good to me) .With optional English subtitles -The Extras(some available on previous DVD issues) are: A rather low key commentary with Nic Roeg talking to Adam Smith. An informative& on occasion very amusing(23min) take on the film with Donald Sutherland. A(14min)feature with screenwriter/producer Alan Scott-very entertaining. Danny Boyles passionate & astute(15min) declaration of what this film means to him + D.Boyles somewhat odd 'D L N compressed into a 4&half mins'(!)'BFI Roeg tribute'. 'Death in Venice'-a feature on composer Pino Donnaggio(18mins) .An interesting(24min) feature on cinematographer Tony Richmond. Alan Jones 'introduction' to the film(7mins) really is a well informed feature in itself & for those that haven't seen this film previously I would advise watching after viewing the film.'Looking Back' a 20min 'mini-doc' with N.Roeg ,editor Graeme Clifford & Tony Richmond .'Nothing is as it seems' is an unusual archive feature with Psycologist/author Colin Murray Parkes intercut with scenes from the film & finishing off with the original 3min trailer(+ a striking3min trailer for M.Powells 'Peeping Tom',50th anniversary)- the only very minor gripe from me is that the extras apart from the Italian Pino Donnagios section(with very clear English subs) are not available with subtitles. So a great film,& in my eyes a very good print-although I accept image 'quality' IS subjective,& also greatly influenced by your home viewing 'set up' .All with some 'extra' extras-that's why I bought this on Bluray..

Based on the Daphne du Maurier short story, Nicholas Roeg's dazzling, perplexing, psychological horror film uses every trick in the book to convey a sense of dread; a foreboding of tragedy. It is peppered throughout with images of shattered glass, still water and the colour red but it is often remembered for two key scenes: its stunning and shocking final act, which I won't spoil for those who have yet to see it; and the sex scene that occurs about mid-way through. This scene is important in establishing the love that still exists between the couple who have recently endured the traumatic loss of their young daughter and it is as tender as it is passionate. Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie play the couple and they are both excellent! Another key ingredient to the atmosphere and success of the film is its wintry Venice setting. Shadows seem to lurk around every corner and its ancient stone walls reverberate with strange cries. One thing is for certain: like it or not, this film will stay with you for a long time...A criticism often levelled at releases of this film in the past has been its indistinct sound, Thankfully, for this Blu-ray release, that has been rectified and you can now enjoy it as it was always meant to be. Finally, as with most releases these days, there are a few extras which are worth watching but only after you've viewed the film. So, close the curtains, switch off the lights and watch one of the finest British films ever made.

I hesitate to call this horror as it’s far more subtle than that. If I can start with the cast, Sutherland and Christie are superb and apart from the now rather dated love scene they make for a very believable married couple. A couple that have that constant deep sadness of losing a child in tragic and possibly avoidable circumstances. This sadness permeates through the whole movie and it’s this deep seated feeling of longing and parental failure that, I believe, drives both the plot and in particular Sutherland’s actions towards it’s climax. The constant referencing to the colour red is in some ways misplaced, being the signifier of anger. Rather there is a real feeling of guilt and regret, could they have avoided their daughter’s death if they had fenced off the lake, been more observant or at the very least told the children not to play anywhere near the lake?There are some red herrings, such as the blind, second sighted woman and her sister laughing maniacally, leading you to believe they have some sinister motive, but these are clever motifs adding to the increasing feeling of unease. Likewise the scenes where Sutherland goes down dead ends, blocked off by the ever present Venice waterways. The problem with many films of this era, particularly horror, is their reputation precedes them, and for the younger viewer, they may wonder what the fuss is all about, lacking the visceral thump of Saw / Hostel type movies. However, it’s beautifully filmed and creates a real sense of dread and unease that many slasher movies don’t ever get near. The 4K print is only OK but it does help make Sutherland and particularly Christie even more attractive. Highly recommend.