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The Pleasure Girls (Flipside # 010) [Blu-ray]

 

(Gerry O'Hara, 1965)

 

 

 

 

 

Production:

Theatrical: Compton Films

Blu-ray: BFI

 

Disc:

Region: FREE!

Runtime: 1:25:15.014

Disc Size: 22,489,247,276 bytes bytes

Feature Size: 13,119,456,768 bytes bytes

Video Bitrate: 17.191 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:

• Alternative Complete Export Cut (Blu-Ray Only, 1:26:22)

• Export Version Scenes (DVD Only)

• Original Theatrical Trailer

• The Rocking Horse (24:20)

• The Meeting (10:19)

• Fully illustrated booklet featuring new pieces by Gerry O'Hara, Professor Sue Harper, and Mamoun Hassan

 

 

The Film:

When Sally (Francesca Annis) moves to London to pursue a modelling career, she moves in with Angela (Anneke Wills, Doctor Who) and Dee (future Hammer girl Suzanna Leigh) and discovers the world of the carefree bachelor girl in Swinging London. Over one weekend - filled with parties, blossoming friendships, and romantic encounters with Keith (Ian McShane) and Nikko (Klaus Kinski) - the vivacious girls learn about life's pleasures and pains.

Shot on location, with sparkling dialogue and lively performances from its young ensemble cast, this engaging drama bears the hallmarks of director Gerry O'Hara's (That Kind of Girl, The Brute) assured style.

Excerpt of review from BFI located HERE


 

 

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

As per their new institutional policy of including both standard edition and HD releases in the same release whenever the material warrants it, the dual format release come with both a Blu-Ray and a DVD edition of Gerry O'Hara's "The Pleasure Girls" for the same price as a single SD disc! As could only be expected, the Blu-Ray wins on every front image wise, with superior clarity, depth, and contrast. Fortunately, there's nothing but good news on the image front. The BD has undergone an extensive restoration and looks marvelous. There may have been a few instances of damage here and there, but for the most part the print is immaculate. There are no edge enhancements or artifacting to complain about, and black levels are very rich. Over all, it simply looks great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio & Music:

The LCPM audio sounds fuller and richer on BD, but the DVD does a decent enough job handling the film's aural aspects. Indeed, the mono soundtrack on the Blu-Ray sounds just about as good as could be imagined. I heard no instances of unwanted background noise (hisses, pops, etc.) and the dialogue and soundtrack comes through as clear and crisp. The subtitles on the discs are easily read and don't obstruct the image.

 

 

 

Extras:

Like "The Party's Over", the BD comes with both the uncensored pre-release version and the censored theatrical release. For obvious reasons, the BFI has included the uncensored version as the main feature, but the theatrical version is of interest as well. Most of the differences that I noticed between the films had to do with nudity and sexuality, but the DVD has a complete rundown of the alternate takes. Also included are a pair of short films, "The Meeting" and "The Rocking Horse". I can't say that I cared much for either short very much, but at least I now know what a "Teddy Boy" is. Also included are a trailer and one of the typically thorough and informative booklets that that we've come to expect from the BFI.

 

 

Bottom line:

So far, the Gerry O'Hara films haven't made for my favorite of the Flipside releases. However, this one probably stands out as the best of the bunch. This isn't meant to be a ringing endorsement of the film, but it's not bad by any means and you shouldn't pass up the opportunity to see both Klaus Kinski and Ian McShane impossibly young. The disc itself is very well put together, with very nice A/V and interesting extras. Definitely recommended.

June 2nd, 2010

 

 


 




 

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