Review by Brian
Montgomery
Production:
Theatrical:
Tricastle
Blu-ray: BFI
Disc:
Region: FREE!
Runtime: 1:35:03:131
Disc Size:
31,310,585,436 bytes
bytes
Feature Size:
25,532,608,512 bytes
bytes
Video Bitrate:
24.778 Mbps
Chapters: 12
Case: Dual Format
Blu-Ray Case
Release date: May
17th, 2010
Video:
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Resolution: 1080P /
23.976 fps
Video codec: MPEG-4
AVC Video
Audio:
LPCM Audio English
2304 kbps 2.0 / 48
kHz / 2304 kbps /
24-bit
Subtitles:
English, None
Extras:
• Original
theatrical release
version (Blu-ray
only, 1:31:37)
• Original
theatrical release
version, cut
sequences (DVD only,
18:42)
• The Party (15:44)
• Emma (12:25)
• Fully illustrated
booklet featuring
new pieces by Guy
Hamilton, Andrew
Roberts William
Fowler and Vic
Pratt.
The Film:
Enigmatic young
Melina (Louise Sorel)
has fallen in with a
group of Chelsea
beatniks, catching
the attention of the
gang's defiant
leader Moise (Oliver
Reed), but inviting
scorn and jealousy
from the group's
other members
including Moise's
lover Libby (Ann
Lynn). But wild and
drunken partying has
terrible
consequences, and
when Melina's
fiancee Carson
(Clifford David)
begins
investigating, the
shocking truth is
revealed. The
Party's Over,
written by Marc Behm
(Help!) and with
music by John Barry
(best-known for his
Bond soundtracks),
was directed by Guy
Hamilton, the
director behind the
most famous early
Bond films including
Diamonds are Forever
and Live and Let
Die.
Excerpt of review
from BFI located
HERE
Image:
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
Like "The Pleasure
Girls" and
"Institute
Benjamenta", "The
Party's Over" is
part of the BFI's
inaugural slate of
their dual format
discs, with both a
Blu-Ray and a DVD
included together
for the price of
one. Generally, the
image on both discs
is outstanding, with
the BD obviously
being the superior
of the two in terms
of depth, clarity,
and contrast. On the
whole, the picture
quality is very
solid for a film
from the mid 60s,
however there are
several sequences
with some rather
remarkable damage.
This unfortunate
problem comes from
the fact that the
BFI's restoration
combined all of the
best material
available to create
a new HD print.
However, in some
cases--particularly
some sequences at
the very beginning
and toward the
end--have a large
number of vertical
lines, scratches,
and other damage.
While these
sequences are brief,
they are also
jarring if
unexpected. But,
don't let this fact
dissuade you from
purchasing. As the
captures show you,
the film is
generally gorgeous.
Audio & Music:
Unsurprisingly, the
24 bit LPCM audio on
the Blu-Ray comes
out stronger than
the 16 bit SD
edition. On the
whole, the audio is
about as good as one
could expect from
this mono track,
with crystal clear
dialogue, sound
effects, and
swinging music.
There are no
discernible
instances of
unwanted background
noise (hisses, pops,
etc.). The film also
supports white
subtitles that are
always easily read
and don't obstruct
the image. What's
more, both discs are
region free!
Extras:
The package comes
with some
interesting extras.
First, there's the
international cut
that has about 18
minutes worth
altered, tamer
footage. If you want
to seem them
seemlessly
integrated into the
film, then you can
do so on the BD. If
you just want a
montage of the
footage, then that's
available on the
DVD. For obvious
reasons, the
pre-release version
is the superior of
the two, but the
altered version is
of interest. Also
included are a pair
of shorts. First,
there's "The Party"
which carries over
the themes of the
main feature, and
"Emma", a delightful
telling of a little
girl and boy that
romp around a
graveyard. Finally,
there's also another
of the BFI's
outstanding booklets
with essays on the
film and filmmakers.
Bottom line:
Bravo, BFI! This is
another outstanding
films that I never
would have even
heard of if it
weren't for their
effort to bring to
light some of the
hidden gems of
British cinema.
While there are,
sadly, some
unavoidable issues
with the print, the
great story and
strong acting from
its
leads--particularly
Reed--make this an
easy purchase.
Definitely
recommended!
Brian Montgomery
June 3rd, 2010
