Danny Boyle - Shallow Grave

directed by Danny Boyle
UK 1994

What's a little murder between friends ?

In my opinion this is director Danny Boyle (and writer John Hodges) at their very best. The themes run right in line with The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - but in a modern setting. Dynamic cinematography and an avante garde score mismatching the tension - proves to be a brilliant juxtaposition to the thrilling plot and chilling finale.

Three unattached roommates share a flat and are in search of a 4th. They find a seemingly good fit, but without giving away too many spoilers - his positional (and past) function create huge conflicts. The once great friends now nervously border on interactions of paranoia, suspicion and greed. It certainly could be considered a modern film noir - with basically good people transformed to behave illegally... all for money. (Fox is a great Femme Fatale in the offing).

The appeal is the divergence of the characters - brilliantly played by - Kerry Fox (the simple yet still sexy girl-next-door type), Christopher Eccleston (the straight-laced proper geeky collar and tie), and Ewan McGregor (the carefree joker). When their expected archetypal family ideal (recall McGregor calling for 'Mommy' after Fox departs) turns ugly, we sit dumbfounded and reflect later on its intense significance. One of my favorite endings, forgotten in my article HERE , this is a fabulous film that is far better than Boyle's overrated Trainspotting (in my opinion).

Gary W. Tooze

Posters

Theatrical Release: February 1995 (Fantasporto Film Festival)

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DVD Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM Home Ent (UK) - Region 2, 4 - PAL

(MGM - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. MGM Home Ent (UK) - Region 2,4 - PAL RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	MGM Region 1 - NTSC	MGM Home Ent (UK) Region 2,4 - PAL
Runtime	1:32:21	1:28:33 (4 % PALspedup)
Video	1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.12 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 8.0 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate : MGM
Bitrate: MGM Home Ent (UK)
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0), French (Dolby Digital 2.0)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0), French (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	French, Spanish, None	English, French, Dutch, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio: Widescreen - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer (2:24) • Open Matte edition on opposite side DVD Release Date: March 28th, 2000 Keep case Chapters 32	Release Information: Studio: MGM Home Ent (UK) Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer (2:12) DVD Release Date: Sep 17th, 2001 Transparent Keep Case Chapters 16

Comments:

My stars and garters! - I haven't had a lot of luck with this title - a film I really treasure (great to show when you have friends over!). The first copy I bought was a Canadian DVD that was only Open Matte (see one sample capture below - the roommate interview). Next I bought the US version - non-anamorphic widescreen on one side and open matte on the other. Finally I bought the anamorphic UK release - it's the best, has optional English subtitles (occasionally required for the heavy accents) but I am on-the-fence about the colors. In the NTSC edition skin tones looks a little red, but in the PAL everything has a kind of yellow tinge. The 16X9 enhanced PAL edition is far superior on a decent system - much sharper. As far as framing goes the UK shows a lot more on the bottom of the frame but a little less on the top.

Unfortunately, there are no extras on either - save the same theatrical trailer. Both offer a French DUB.

I see there is a German DVD, but even I don't know if I can justify a quad-dip as it probably is the same transfer as the region coded 2,4 UK which will also sell in Australia. If you know different I'd be keen to know, but to see this film (which I STRONGLY recommend) the UK seems to be top choice.

- Gary Tooze

DVD Menus

(MGM - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. MGM Home Ent (UK) - Region 2,4 - PAL RIGHT)

Screen Captures

(MGM - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. MGM Home Ent (UK) - Region 2,4 - PAL BOTTOM)
Subtitle Sample: Not exact frame