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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (January 2022): Indicator have transferred Gerry O'Hara's The Brute to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative by Powerhouse Films". Indicator offer two presentations of the film: the more explicit export cut (90 minutes); and the uncensored UK version, under its pre-release title, The Brute Syndrome (89 minutes.) The two cuts are seamlessly-branched with, hence, the image quality duplicated.

"As with other British productions of its era, The Brute was distributed in some overseas territories in a version which included specially shot material containing nudity and sexual content. In the UK, the film was censored by the BBFC, and a prologue was added to contextualize the film's controversial themes. However, even in its fully uncensored form, the UK version - presented here without the prologue and under its pre-release title The Brute Syndrome - contains toned-down variants of the film's more explicit scenes. As a consequence, while both of these presentations are complete and uncut, they each contain unique material."

The 1080P offers a very textured image with wonderful thick grain, rich colors (notable greens) and a very film-like image in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The HD presentation is clean and consistent, providing an authentic representation of this 1977 film production.

NOTE: We have added 39 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator use a DTS-HD Master mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The Brute has aggressive moments - mostly with beatings and fights - that come through with modest depth and a score by Kenneth V. Jones (The Siege of Pinchgut, Maroc 7, The Projected Man, Psyche 59, Ten Seconds to Hell, Tower of Evil, Tomb of Legeia, The Horse's Mouth) sounding clean with consistently audible dialogue in the lossless transfer. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a 2022 commentary by actor Sarah Douglas and writer and critic Kim Newman. It's highly revealing into what was expected of the actor and she describes details of the 'hay lovemaking' sequences, "showing her bottom" in the shower, her concern over nudity and the importance of this early film in her career. She talks about director Gerry O'Hara, other performers; Julian Glover, Roberta Gibbs, Bruce Robinson, Suzanne Stone etc., the 'injured rabbit' scene and Kim gives excellent support inquiring into other pertinent details of the production. She is very honest and forthright and It is an excellent commentary. Sticks and Stones is a new (2022) video piece with 97-year old director Gerry O’Hara recalling the film’s origins and incurring the wrath of the women’s liberation movement. It runs 1/4 hour. Indicator include the UK theatrical prologue where a ‘psychiatrist’ briefly contextualizes the film’s themes. There is a 1976, 25-minute, Royal Navy short, written and directed by Gerry O’Hara, about surviving a disaster at sea entitled The Sea Can Kill  with Julian Holloway and George Sweeney. There is also "This Week in Britain: ‘Erin Pizzey’ from 1978 - a 5-minute interview with the inspirational founder of the world’s first refuge for women, produced by the Central Office of Information. Lastly are an original X-rated theatrical trailers and a teaser plus an image gallery of promotional and publicity material. The package has a limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson, a look at the public response to the film’s controversial screenings, an interview with fight arranger Roberta Gibbs, an overview of contemporary critical responses, Anthony Nield on The Sea Can Kill, and film credits.  

Gerry O'Hara was an assistant director on Laurence Olivier's 'Richard III', Carol Reed's 'Our Man in Havana' and Tony Richardson's 'Tom Jones'. His "The Brute" is  rarely seen, partly because of its controversial topic. Sarah Douglas is better known as the supervillain Ursa in 'Superman' and 'Superman II', and some may recognize her early role as a party-goer in Norman Jewison's 'Rollerball' - made two years before "The Brute". 40+ years have not jaded one to the topic of physical spousal abuse. With its resurgence of discussion the past number of years - "The Brute" is well ahead of its time and expertly-realized by O'Hara. Douglas is excellent and the film shows abhorrent brutality memorably - if tamed by the era's standards. One can't help recall Once Were Warriors. The Indicator Region FREE Blu-ray is at their usual very high level with two cuts of the film, both with the revealing commentary involving the lead, a new interview with the director, 36-page booklet and more. It is absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze