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

ADDITION: Network Blu-ray (October 2022): Network have transferred Basil Dearden's Life for Ruth to Blu-ray. It is cited as being a "remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio". It is on a dual-layered disc and has a supportive bitrate. There are speckles, light scratches and little grain to the 1080P image but is has pleasing contrast and frequent depth. The visuals are reasonably tight with no gloss. Bottom line - it provides an acceptable HD presentation - an effective notch above SD.

NOTE: We have added 56 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Network use a linear PCM dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. Outside of the storm and boat capsizing Life for Ruth has no aggressive moments. It is strong dialogue-driven concluding with a courtroom drama in the second half. The score was by William Alwyn (So Evil My Love, The Running Man, Green For Danger, So Evil My Love, Burn, Witch Burn, Odd Man Out, On Approval, A Night to Remember and The Fallen Idol) sounding clean with consistent dialogue in the uncompressed transfer. Network offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Network Blu-ray offers brand-new interviews with actor Michael Craig and 1st assistant director Anthony Waye reflecting on the film production, hurdles overcome etc.. Plus there is an hour-long archival career-retrospective interview with Michael Craig, a theatrical trailer, image gallery and the package has a limited edition booklet written by Neil Sinyard.

Janet Green and John McCormick (husband and wife) wrote Basil Dearden's "Life for Ruth" in 1961 under alternate titles "God the Father" and "A Matter of Conscience". They had also had written "Sapphire" (with Michael Craig) and "Victim" for Dearden. Although the NY Times' A.H. Weiler stated about Life for Ruth (released in the US as "Walk in the Shadow") - "in avoiding blatant bias, mawkish sentimentality and theatrical flamboyance, it makes a statement that is dramatic, powerful and provocative" the film was still a failure at the box office, contributing to the collapse of Allied Film Makers. It deals with religious freedom and conviction eventually seeking a legal and moral judgment. It is a fascinating film, brilliantly realized impressively by the consistently strong director Dearden (The Mind Benders, They Came to a City, The Blue Lamp, The League of Gentlemen, Woman of Straw, Pool of London, The Captive Heart, The Man Who Haunted Himself, The Square Ring etc.). I was very impacted and, actually, kind of blown away by the story. I'm grateful that Network chose to release this on Blu-ray - a film very much worth seeing and owning, imo.

Gary Tooze