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

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (March 2023): Imprint have transferred Mike Hodges's I'll Sleep When I'm Dead to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a supportive bitrate in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The film has some excellent cinematography by DoP Michael Garfath. The source is clean, there is depth, a shade of green-leaning but layered contrast in impressively realized dark scenes (almost the entire film is shot at night.) It's a full notch above SD.

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On their Blu-ray, Imprint offer the option of a robust DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround or a linear PCM stereo track (both 24-bit) in the original English language. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead has aggressive moments from 'forced buggery' to gunshots. There is some powerful bass. The score is by Simon Fisher-Turner (Blue, Edward II, Claire Dolan) with pieces like Filter, Phote, The Blunted Needle etc. adding flavor to the dark expression. Imprint offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offers a commentary by director Mike Hodges and writer Trevor Preston. They talk about the locations, acting, shooting difficulties, the dialogue, establishing character, shooting car scenes, that it was shot in 28 days and so much about the production of I'll Sleep When I'm Dead. Hodges likes to have disreputable characters that become protagonists. There is also a 1/2 hour documentary Mike Hodges and I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead. It has behind-the-scenes footage, snippets from Hodges and the cast - basically it also gives a surface view of the film's plot. There are two deleted scenes (the first with an optional commentary by Hodges and Preston) and a theatrical trailer.

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead is a neo-noir British crime drama. Mike Hodges' directorial debut, was Get Carter that has a very similar premise to I'll Sleep When I'm Dead with men who return to their former hometowns - in a backdrop of organized crime - to investigate the death of their brother who has died under suspicious circumstances. Both have themes of a protagonist with a reckless sense of revenge, masculinity etc. Clive Owen plays loner Will who has turned into a recluse - living in the woods via a camper van to get away from his former lifestyle in London to cleanse himself from his past and his fearsome reputation. He's drawn back by his brother Davey's (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) apparent suicide - and he wants answers. He receives disturbing truths. There are supporting roles from Charlotte Rampling, Malcolm McDowell and keep your eyes open for Sylvia Syms. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead is quite an intense ride - well directed. The Imprint Blu-ray has the film looking pleasingly spiffy in 1080P, a commentary and other supplements. Echoes of Get Carter would be an enticement alone. I enjoyed it.

Gary Tooze