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

BFI have brought the Laurel and Hardy last film "Atoll K" to Blu-ray stating "The BFI is proud to release the longest-ever English language cut of this historically important film, presented for the first time in High Definition and showcasing a new 2K restoration by the BFI using original 35mm nitrate film elements." The 1080p film is housed on a dual-layered Blu-ray with a maxed out bitrate. The image is very inconsistent looking as if it may have been culled from a variety of sources. The overall image is weak, which would be predominantly because of the existing source(s). Contrast is mostly exported well with some deep black levels but this also shows instances of weakness. There is little depth and a blotchy appearance that isn't pleasing. But, in this instance, it is the ability to see the film at all that many will appreciate. 

The film is presented with a (24-bit) linear PCM 1.0 mono track. The effects center around the boating sequences but they are unremarkable and flat. There are, what appears to be DUBs or post-DUBBING, in the Italian/French production. Where Laurel and Hardy's dialogue is sync'ed - the rest of the cast are not and it is glaringly evident. The score by Paul Misraki (Bunuel's Death in the Garden, Godard's Alphaville, Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Doulos, Orson Welles's Mr. Arkadin) including the numbers performed by Suzy Delair; Tu n'peux pas t'Figurer and Laissez-vous Faire. There is also an 'audio descriptive' track for the impaired. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'B' Blu-ray.

There are plenty of extras on the BFI Blu-ray including many silent shorts with the likes of Mabel Normand with Stan and Oliie 'solos' before their successful pairing. These include Mother's Baby Boy (1914), Something in Her Eye (1915), the 1/4 hour long Do You Love Your Wife? (1919), the 1/2 hour Should Men Walk Home? (1927) plus some newsreel-type videos - Laurel and Hardy in Tynemouth from 1932, Laurel and Hardy in Scotland from 1947 and Laurel and Hardy Return to the UK in 1952. Many will appreciate the new commentary on Atoll K by Glenn Mitchell and new commentaries on the amateur films by Laurel and Hardy expert Glenn Mitchell. There is an 1 hour 20-minute audio only interview with Stan Laurel, playing to the film, where he discusses his life and work with Arthur B. Friedman in a recoding made a week after Ollie's death. Educational and enjoyable is The Boys Stay in the Picture - a new 13-minute Laurel and Hardy video essay by Chris Seguin, using rare images, scripts, letters and promotional materials from around the time of Atoll K. The package has a second disc DVD and a liner notes illustrated booklet with new essays and notes by Laurel and Hardy authorities Glenn Mitchell, Norbert Aping and David Wyatt, new writing by Alan and Vic Pratt, plus full film credits.

As a film, Atoll K is a fascinating mess - retaining very little of the charisma of the majority of the duo's earlier output (okay, one earlier scene identified in the video essay) although this is superior to the cut US version sometimes available on DVD.  However, this BFI Blu-ray release is stacked to the brim with extras including commentary, video essay, shorts etc. and the wonderful booklet, and there is value in seeing the, often awkward, film. Suitable mostly to the serious fans of Laurel and Hardy or those curious about this failed comeback by the lovable duo.

Gary Tooze