The Killing of Sister George

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

directed by Robert Aldrich
USA 1968

Robert Aldrich ranks with Samuel Fuller and Nicholas Ray as one of the "golden boys" of postwar commercial cinema whose formal chops and aggressive social critique made that period so exciting. By the late '60s and early '70s, when culture gave way to counterculture, conventional wisdom has it that all three were washed up. That opinion can be supported for Ray, who made no films at that time. Fuller’s star had fallen with the butchered Shark (1967) and the enjoyable but minor Dead Pigeon on Beethoven Street (1972). But Aldrich was arguably at the peak of his powers, with a string of brilliant, demanding and not always commercially successful films that, taken as a unit, outstrip such earlier classics of his as The Big Knife, Kiss Me Deadly, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? This rich period included megahits (The Dirty Dozen, 1967), scorching attacks on Hollywood (The Legend of Lylah Clare, 1968) and American ideals (The Grissom Gang, 1971), and the key "lesbian picture" of that era, The Killing of Sister George (1968).

The "killing" in the title is a metaphorical death — that of "Sister George," a smarmy apple-cheeked do-gooder who stars in a sentimental BBC series about village life. "George" is played in the series by June Buckridge (Beryl Reid), a brassy, bitchy, hard-drinking bull dyke who’s the antithesis of the sickeningly sweet character she plays. In spite of the enormous popularity of George, her "death" is inevitable due to the constant embarrassments to the BBC of the woman who plays her. Her indecencies are quite public; they include enraged walkouts from the set, drunken binges, and most egregiously, an assault — which Aldrich treats as high comedy — on two novitiate nuns in a taxi.

Excerpt from Gary Morris' review at Bright Lights Film Journal located HERE

Legendary director Robert Aldrich (The Dirty Dozen, The Grissom Gang) turns up the heat in this steamy, provocative and expertly executed movie starring Beryl Reid (Trial and Error) and Susannah York (The Maids, Gold). Sexy, sensitive and darkly humorous, The Killing of Sister George is a racy romp that's entertaining, explicit and sensational. June (Reid) is the star of a TV soap opera... and she has the ego to prove it. But when she begins to suspect that the network is planning to kill off her character預nd that her boss is out to seduce her beautiful young lover (York)憂une spirals out of control. And as she's transformed from demanding diva into hair-trigger harridan, TV's grandest of dames proves that underneath it all... she ain't no lady. Coral Browne (The Ruling Class) and Patricia Medina (Sangaree) co-stars in this classic drama with a dark sense of humor.

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Theatrical Release: December 12th, 1968

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Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

Box Cover
Distribution	MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC	Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:19:30	2:20:03.061
Video	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.8 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 42,732,651,021 bytes Feature: 38,745,415,680 bytes Total Video Bitrate: 32.95 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1555 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1555 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Commentaries: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English, French, Spanish, None	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: MGM Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • none DVD Release Date: August 23rd, 2005 Keep Case Chapters: 20	Release Information: Studio: Kino 1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 42,732,651,021 bytes Feature: 38,745,415,680 bytes Total Video Bitrate: 32.95 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Kat Ellinger • NEW Audio Commentary with Film Historian David Del Valle and Actor/Filmmaker Michael Varrati • NEW Interview with Lighting / Camera Operator Brian West (05:17) • Theatrical Trailer Blu-ray Release Date: November 27th, 2018 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 8

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - December 2018': Kino present Robert Aldrich's "The Killing of Sister George" on a dual-layered Blu-ray from a new HD Master from a 4k scan of the original camera negative. The 1.85:1 1080p image has a high bitrate throughout the feature presentation. This is quite a significant step-up over the previous DVD. Gone is the yellow-orange hue of the SD transfer, with a more life-like color palette now visible. Flesh tones are more realistic looking, with healthy rosy reds correcting the previously almost jaundice looking skin. The image is now not stretched either, with a slightly tighter composition in the frame. Contrast levels are decent, with a modest assortment of blacks. There is definitely some damage here, but barring extensive digital work, this is to be expected. A fine transfer from the folks at Kino.

The film is presented with a 16-bit 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track. With this being a very dialogue-heavy feature, luckily said dialogue is clearly audible despite having a certain flatness. The score from Gerald Fried plays nicely underneath the scenes, building tension and exploding when necessary. There are optional English subtitles on this Region-A Blu-ray from Kino.

Thankfully, we get the option of watching the film with one of two brand new commentaries! The first is with the ever illuminating Film Historian Kat Ellinger. Kat's track is chock-full of information regarding Aldrich, the film, and the leading ladies. The film is significant, not to mention ahead of its time, in its open portrayal of lesbian characters, and Kat explores this topic and more. Interesting that this film was released the same year as the off-Broadway premiere of "The Boys in the Band". There is an equally fascinating commentary track with Film Historian David Del Valle and Actor/Filmmaker Michael Varrati. The two cover many similar themes as Ellinger, but these two tracks are well worth your time. Kino have also included a 5-minute interview with lighting/camera operator, Brian West. West recalls his time working on the film. The film's trailer is also included.

Coming off the heels of The Dirty Dozen, Robert Aldrich went in a direction none could have foreseen, and we are all the richer for it. Kino have given this film a new 4k transfer, with the added option of 2 brilliant commentary tracks over the 140 minute film. Fans should definitely pick up this Blu-ray.

- Colin Zavitz

ON THE DVD: A typical barebones package from MGM with no extras but at a reasonable price. The image is not bad at all - tight to the frame at a 16X9 enhanced widescreen, progressive and bright colors. In some spots I saw some dirt (or digital noise) but other than that it is quite acceptable with decent optional subtitles. A good deal at around $10.

Gary W. Tooze

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