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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (December 2019): Kino have also brought Jack Clayton's Room at the Top to Blu-ray. While our software can make no strong differentiation between the two 1080P transfers (both 2K-restored sourced), we might give a slight edge in-motion to the Kino for the notably higher bitrate. The reverse would be true for the audio - Kino's lossless 16-bit vs. BFI's uncompressed 24-bit audio tracks in the original English language. Kino likewise add optional English subtitles but their Blu-ray is Region 'A'-locked.

In the extras department, Kino provide a new audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger. Kat cites a Pauline Kael review. She talks about how the film was very dour but initiated funding for many kitchen-sink dramas that would come out of the UK. She talks about the strong supporting cast including minor roles, who would late be iconic, like Wendy Craig and Prunella Scales. She discusses Neil Sinyard and his commentary for the film how Clayton thought Laurence Harvey was perfect in the role of Joe Lampton - young, lean, hungry for success. She read some negative comments about Harvey although she doesn't, necessarily, agree with them (although states that his accent isn't great in Room at the Top). Kat also gives some analysis of the story. It is at her usual excellent, insightful level. There is also a trailer for the film and similar Kino-transferred Blu-ray trailers.

Another great Blu-ray release of an important film, some may even consider double-dipping for Kat's commentary... and the great Kino cover! This "A Landmark of the British New Wave" should be seen! 

***

ADDITION: BFI Blu-ray (May 2019): BFI have transferred Jack Clayton's Room at the Top to Blu-ray. The 2-hour feature is housed on a dual-layered disc with a supportive bitrate. I only noticed one instance of damage and the HD's layered contrast produces a strong black and white image in the 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Grain textures are supported and the resulting 1080P image is excellent showing depth and appearing very film-like.

On their Blu-ray, BFI use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is clear and clean with the film exporting few aggressive effects but a doom-laden score by Mario Nascimbene (The Vikings, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth, The Barefoot Contessa, Barabbas, A Farewell to Arms, Love in the City) which gains benefit from the uncompressed transfer. BFI offer optional English subtitles (see sample below) on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The BFI Blu-ray have included the two, separate, 2009 commentaries - one by Jo Botting and, the other, by Neil Sinyard. They are both exceptional with Dr. Botting giving excellent background information and production details with, soft-spoken, Sinyard exporting specific analysis sync'ed to the film's scenes as they play. There is coverage of the British cultural movement of 'kitchen sink' realism that developed in the late 1950s and early 1960, Jack Clayton, Laurence Harvey and much more. Included is The Visit, Jack Gold's (the director who was also part of the British realist tradition which followed the 'Free Cinema' movement) 35-minute, 1959 quietly devastating drama portraying the everyday life of a working-class single woman. There is some brief footage from The West Riding in Archive Film: Bradford Town Hall Square, Bailey's Royal Buxton Punch and Judy Show in Halifax (1901); a 1902 Tram Ride into Halifax; Halifax Day by Day (1910) plus Ken Annakin's We of the West Riding from 1945, running 22-minutes and 1969's This Town about everyday Yorkshire life captured across a century of dramatic change. There is also an original trailer and image galleries. For the initial pressing run on the DVD and Blu-ray there is a fully illustrated booklet with writing by John Oliver, Kieron McCormack, Michael Brooke and Vic Pratt, and full film credits. There is a second disc DVD included. 

Room at the Top is a brilliant film on the void of class structure that extends to both work and social bonds starring Laurence Harvey as an opportunistic character with 'chip on his shoulder' insecurities about his modest roots and who boldly, and bitterly, defends against any who try to curtail his aspirations to advance beyond his proudly modest upbringing. It's a film I am very happy to own on Blu-ray. The two commentaries provide wonderful analysis advancing appreciation for this kitchen-sink drama impressively directed by Jack Clayton. "A Landmark of the British New Wave". This has our highest recommendation!

Gary Tooze