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

ADDITION: Severin Films Blu-ray (May 2025): Severin Films has transferred Douglas Hickox's Entertaining Mr. Sloane to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "2K restoration, sourced from a high-quality scan of the original film elements". Cinematographer Wolfgang Suschitzky (Get Carter, The Vengeance of She, Theater of Blood) crafts a visual aesthetic that balances gritty realism with a slightly surreal edge, amplifying the film’s unsettling tone. The 1080P looks marvelous -- rich colors and contrast. This marks a substantial improvement over previous home video releases. Hickox’s direction leans into the play’s theatricality but uses close-ups and subtle camera movements to capture the characters’ shifting emotions, particularly during moments of seduction or blackmail. The film’s visual restraint avoids sensationalism, letting the actors’ performances and Orton’s dialogue drive the provocation. The Severin HD presentation is a triumph for fans of the film.

NOTE: We have added 52 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Severin Films uses a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The sound design and score of Entertaining Mr. Sloane, composed by Georgie Fame (East Is East,) play a crucial role in shaping the film’s tone, blending irony with unease. Also heard in the film, Behold, thou hast made my days (Based on Psalm 39:5) and Between the Scenes No.1, Fame’s upbeat score juxtaposes the film’s dark themes, creating a satirical edge. The main theme, with its playful brass and percussion, underscores the absurdity of the characters’ behavior, particularly during comedic moments, like Kath’s flirtations. The film uses subtle ambient sounds (creaking floorboards, distant traffic) to ground the setting in a realistic suburban milieu. These sounds contrast with the characters’ outrageous behavior, reinforcing the theme of hidden depravity behind normalcy. While a mono track inherently lacks the immersion of modern surround sound, Severin’s restoration transfer ensures that the sound design is as impactful as possible, letting Orton’s dialogue and Fame’s score shine. Severin Films offers optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Severin Films Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Nathaniel Thompson (The International Guide to Weird and Wonderful Films) and Orton Scholar (Dr. Emma Parker.) This commentary offers a dual perspective: Thompson focuses on the film’s production, cinematography, and place in British cinema, while Parker delves into Orton’s life, the play’s themes, and its adaptation. They discuss the film’s provocative handling of sexuality, the performances, and Orton’s “Ortonesque” style, with Parker referencing her 2016 interview with actor Dudley Sutton (who criticized the film’s portrayal of Sloane.) It is engaging and informative, balancing academic rigor with accessible insights. Thompson’s film knowledge complements Parker’s literary expertise, making it essential for understanding the film’s context and Orton’s legacy. Their chemistry keeps the discussion lively. There is a 10-minute archival interview with Peter McEnery, who played Sloane, covering his experience and portraying the amoral drifter. McEnery discusses the challenge of capturing Sloane’s manipulative charm, his interactions with co-stars Beryl Reid and Harry Andrews, and the film’s controversial reception. He reflects on working under Douglas Hickox and adapting Orton’s stage dialogue for the screen. All My Sloanes - 60 Years of Joe Orton’s Mr. Sloane runs over 26 minutes and features Malcolm McDowell and Maxwell Caulfield. This featurette celebrates the enduring legacy of Orton’s play, focusing on its various adaptations, including the 1970 film. Actors McDowell and Caulfield, who have portrayed Sloane in stage productions, discuss the character’s complexity, Orton’s subversive humor, and the play’s impact on theater and film. They compare their interpretations of Sloane and reflect on the 1970 film’s strengths and weaknesses. Included is a 3/4 hour archival interview with John Lahr, author of Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton. This substantial archival interview with Lahr explores Orton’s life, career, and tragic death. Lahr discusses Orton’s writing process, his defiance of social norms, and the autobiographical elements in Entertaining Mr. Sloane. He also analyzes the 1970 film’s adaptation, praising its performances but noting its struggle to capture the play’s jet-black tone. Lahr’s expertise makes this a cornerstone of the Blu-ray, offering a comprehensive look at Orton’s world. The 45-minute runtime allows for deep dives into Orton’s influences, his relationship with Kenneth Halliwell, and the cultural context of 1960s Britain. It’s a must-watch for Orton scholars and newcomers alike. There is another archival interview -- this time with Leonie Orton entitled Remembering Her Brother Joe and running 27-minutes. Leonie Orton, Joe’s sister, provides a personal perspective on her brother’s life and legacy. She recounts his upbringing, his rebellious spirit, and the impact of his murder in 1967. Leonie discusses Entertaining Mr. Sloane as a reflection of Joe’s views on hypocrisy and sexuality, offering anecdotes about his personality and their family dynamics. Running shy of 18 minutes is Ortonesque - Screenwriter David McGillivray on the Lasting Influence of Joe Orton where British screenwriter David McGillivray (House of Whipcord) examines Orton’s influence on film, theater, and popular culture. He defines the “Ortonesque” style -- grotesque farce, explicit sexuality, and shocking humor -- and traces its impact on later works, including British comedies and queer cinema. McGillivray also critiques the 1970 film’s adaptation, echoing Lahr’s view that it leans too heavily on broad humor. This featurette is concise yet insightful, offering a broader perspective on Orton’s legacy beyond Entertaining Mr. Sloane. McGillivray’s expertise in British genre cinema adds a unique angle, making it valuable for fans of Orton and 1970s cinema. In the 22-minute piece, Act of Character - Rosie White on the Inimitable Identities of Beryl Reid, scholar Rosie White explores Beryl Reid’s career and her iconic performance as Kath. White analyzes Reid’s ability to blend comedy and pathos, situating her work in the context of British character acting and gender performance. She discusses how Reid’s portrayal shapes the film’s tone and Orton’s critique of suburban femininity. This featurette is a highlight for Reid fans, offering a deep dive into her craft and cultural significance. Also added to the supplement is a 10-minute archival 'Locations Featurette' with Richard Dacre. He revisits the London locations used in Entertaining Mr. Sloane, including the graveyard and suburban streets. He discusses how these settings reflect the film’s themes of decay and repression, providing historical context about 1960s London. The last video piece is Threads of Desire: Costuming and Sexuality in Entertaining Mr. Sloane - Video Essay by Costume Historian Elissa Rose running 10 minutes. Elissa examines the role of costuming in the film, focusing on how Kath’s frumpy dresses, Sloane’s sleek attire, and Ed’s formal suits reflect their sexual and social identities. Rose ties the costumes to Orton’s themes of desire and hypocrisy, noting their symbolic importance. She also references the film as a “provocative whisper,” a phrase she uses in her video essay for Severin. This concise video essay is a standout, offering a fresh perspective on the film’s visual language. Rose’s analysis is engaging and accessible, making it valuable for both casual viewers and scholars interested in costume design. The short runtime keeps it focused. Lastly is an original theatrical trailer.

Douglas Hickox's Entertaining Mr. Sloane, adapted by Clive Exton from Joe Orton’s 1964 stage play, is a daring British black comedy that delves into themes of sexual repression, amorality, and societal hypocrisy. The film, set in a claustrophobic suburban London household, translates Orton’s provocative stage work to the screen with a mix of fidelity to the source material and cinematic flair. The narrative thrives on Orton’s signature blend of farce and menace, exposing the underbelly of British suburban life. Hickox’s direction (Theatre of Blood, Brannigan, Zulu Dawn) adds cinematic elements, such as exterior scenes and flashbacks, to enhance the story’s scope. Beryl Reid (The Killing of Sister George, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Psychomania) is both hilarious and unsettling, portraying Kath as a tragic figure whose loneliness manifests in grotesque maternal and sexual impulses. Her exaggerated gestures and childlike voice amplify the character’s absurdity, yet Reid imbues her with a pathos that makes her more than a caricature. Released in 1970, Entertaining Mr. Sloane arrived during a period of social upheaval in Britain, with loosening censorship and growing openness about sexuality. Orton’s play, already notorious for its subversive content, found a fitting cinematic adaptation that pushed boundaries further. The film’s frank depiction of homosexuality, incestuous undertones, and amorality shocked audiences, aligning it with the New Wave of British cinema that embraced gritty, provocative storytelling. It is a bold, unsettling adaptation of Joe Orton’s play, brought to life through Douglas Hickox’s taut direction, Wolfgang Suschitzky’s evocative cinematography, and Georgie Fame’s ironic score. Its visual style, blending suburban claustrophobia with flashes of violence, complements a sound design that juxtaposes playful music with tense silences. This Severin Films Blu-ray is highly recommended for fans of Joe Orton, Entertaining Mr. Sloane, or 1970s British cinema. The restoration and extras make it a must-own for collectors and scholars, while the film’s dark humor and provocative themes remain compelling for adventurous viewers.

Gary Tooze