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

ADDITION: Canadian International Pictures Blu-ray (August 2022): Canadian International Pictures have transferred George Kaczender's Don't Let the Angels Fall to Blu-ray. It is cited as being "Scanned and restored in 2K from the 35mm interpositive". It looks excellent if a shade bright with a few overly 'thin' spots. I couldn't detect any edge-enhancement but film grain textures are barely visible. On my system the 1080P looked impressive and pleasing if hints of manipulation loom. I presume most will be highly pleased with the 1.37:1 black and white HD presentation. It was pristinely clean and crisp on my system.

NOTE: We have added 28 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Canadian International Pictures use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. Don't Let the Angels Fall has almost no aggressive moments. The score is by Canadian psychedelic rock band The Collectors, with musical supervision by David Hassinger. They also did the score for two other Canadian films; "Canada The Land," (1969) and "The Land" (1969.) It's a unique sound - that I liked - supporting the film in artistic ways. Canadian International Pictures offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Canadian International Pictures Blu-ray offers a new commentary by actor Jon Michaelson who played 'Guy' in Don't Let the Angels Fall. He talks about how Don't Let the Angels Fall has a documentary element to the film - showing the city of Montreal with a prosaic look in black and white. He shares his recollections of the cast, director and production. He seems quite intelligent and his commentary has a lot to offer. What is impressive about this release is how Canadian International Pictures are mining Canada's National Film Board starting with the feature and adding seven shorts - five by the director, George Kaczender. Ballerina is from 1964, and like most - run shy of 1/2 hour. It focuses on celebrated Canadian prima ballerina Margaret Mercier. Phoebe was also made in 1964 and is about a young, unmarried teenager girl who gets pregnant. She imagines the reaction of family, friends and her boyfriend. You're No Good was made in 1965 and is about borderline delinquent youth Eddie McGeer (played by 25-year old, Quebec-born, Michael Sarrazin) who steals a bike and hides out from the police. Little White Crimes was made my Kaczender in 1966. It shows the decline of small business through an overly ambitious young man. The Game is from 1968 about a High-schooler who likes to portray himself as a charmingly cool lady-killer and his next conquest is unaware of his reputation. Also included are 1967's Impressions of Expo 67 directed by Bill Brind. It runs 8.5 minutes. It shows some of the unique buildings of the 1967 World's Fair in Montreal as well as the monorail and a hovercraft. Lastly, is another bonus short; Toys also from 1967 showing window shopping children viewing a toy soldiers who come to life. It was directed by Grant Munro. The package has a liner notes booklet featuring a new essay by Sherrill Grace, author of Tiff: A Life of Timothy Findley plus it has reversible cover artwork.

Hungarian-born George Kaczender's (The Girl in Blue) first feature film, Don't Let the Angels Fall, was also the first Canadian dramatic feature to be entered into official competition at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival. Don't Let the Angels Fall takes an artistic look at a family in crisis. A Montréal businessman is bothered by his perceived lack of life successes, and while going through a mid-life crisis reflects on a past affair with a divorcée (gorgeous TOS'er Sharon Acker) and we see the effect it has had on his children - who engender insecurity, and ideological respite - with the burden of maternal failure thrust upon their mother. It may be the best Canadian films I've seen from that era - ever. CIP's statement is "From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers." Monochrome Don't Let the Angels Fall certainly qualifies. The Canadian International Pictures Blu-ray is stacked with a commentary, a number of interesting shorts from the director, liner notes and wonderful artwork. I was really surprised at it's poetic vision - not just being Canadian myself. This is absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze