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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (June 2025): Kino has transferred Graham Stark's The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins to Blu-ray. The transfer offers a noticeable upgrade from prior standard-definition releases. The image is presented in its original aspect ratio (1.66:1,) with a clean, stable picture that minimizes scratches, dust, and splices - hallmarks of a dual-layered, maxed out bitrate, HD presentation. Colors are a bit drab, reflecting the 1970s aesthetic. There is softness. While not a pristine, modern restoration, the 1080P video quality enhances the film’s quirky charm, delivering a clear, pleasing view of its episodic comedy. There are instances of depth.

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

On their Blu-ray, Kino uses a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins transfer has faithfully reproduced the original mono sound of this 1971 film. Dialogue is clear and upfront, crucial for the wordplay and quick gags by writers, like Graham Chapman and Spike Milligan - Bruce Forsyth’s manic rants in “Avarice” and Harry H. Corbett’s tender pleas in “Lust” come through distinctly. Roy Budd’s  (Get Carter, Kidnapped, Soldier Blue, The Carey Treatment, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, The Wild Geese) playful score (including the catchy “Envy, Greed An’ Gluttony” theme by Budd and Jack Fishman) has a lively, punchy presence with brass and rhythms well-balanced. Sound effects (cartoonish clangs, thuds, and splashes in “Avarice” or the bomb blast in “Wrath”) are exaggerated and effective, suiting the slapstick tone, though they lack the depth of a modern mix. The track is clean with minimal hiss or distortion, but the flat, mono-originated sound reflects the era’s limitations. Kino offers optional English subtitles on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray extras elevate this release with a nearly 20-minute interview with cinematographer Harvey Harrison delving into the challenges of shooting seven distinct sketches on a tight budget from the grimy “Avarice” sewer to the black-and-white “Sloth” segment; a roughly 22-minute interview with actress Audrey Nicholson offering warm anecdotes about her role in the sharp “Pride” sketch and working with comedy legends; a brief 5-minute interview with still photographer Keith Hamshere providing a niche glimpse into capturing the film’s chaotic production; and a roughly 3-minute theatrical trailer that hypes the anthology’s madcap, risqué humor with nostalgic flair.

The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins was directed and produced by Graham Stark, a comic actor known for roles in the Pink Panther series. This was his only feature-length directorial effort. Released in November 1971 by Tigon Pictures, a British studio often associated with horror, the film reflects the early 1970s trend of anthology or "portmanteau" films, a format popularized by Amicus in horror but here adapted for comedy. The early 1970s marked a peak for British comedy with TV shows, like Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-1974), The Goodies, and Carry On films shaping a landscape of slapstick, innuendo, and social satire. This film rides that wave, blending the irreverence of the era with a loose nod to the medieval concept of the seven deadly sins: avarice, envy, gluttony, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath. Each sketch loosely interprets a sin, often exaggerating human flaws for laughs. Avarice drives greed for a coin, envy fuels deceit, gluttony mocks excess, lust explores longing, pride skewers ego, sloth revels in inaction, and wrath amplifies petty rage. The Kino Blu-ray of The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins is a solid release for a quirky 1971 comedy. The extras are a highlight: Harvey Harrison’s 19-minute interview dives into cinematography, Audrey Nicholson’s 22-minute chat offers warm cast insights, Keith Hamshere’s brief 5-minute talk adds a niche angle. While not a technical marvel, this release suits fans of British comedy, collectors of Kino Cult, and those nostalgic for the era's gentle, bawdy humor. A worthwhile pickup for enthusiasts despite the film’s uneven laughs.

Gary Tooze