Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: George H. Brown Productions

Video: Network

 

Disc:

Region: 'B' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:29:32.041

Disc Size: 20,314,534,753 bytes

Feature Size: 19,529,601,024 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.00 Mbps

Chapters: 12

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: May 20th, 2016

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

Resolution: 1080p / 24.0 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit

 

Subtitles:

English (SDH), none

 

Extras:

• Original Theatrical Trailer (2:46)
• Image Gallery (4:00)

• Script PDF
• Booklet by Professor Neil Sinyard

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: Joan Collins, James Booth and Kenneth Griffith star in this sensational, X-rated thriller in which an ordinary family turn to vigilante justice in the wake of their daughter's murder. With taut direction from Sidney Hayers and a tense script from The Saint screenwriter John Kruse, Revenge was a notable success in both Britain and the USA; it is featured here in a brand-new High Definition transfer from the original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio.

Publicans Carol and Jim Radford learn that a reclusive local man suspected of raping and murdering their ten-year-old daughter has been released due to insufficient evidence. Heartbroken and hungry for vengeance, Jim hatches a chilling plan to force a confession from the suspect: abducting and imprisoning him in the pub's cellar, he will become judge, jury and if necessary executioner!

 

 

The Film:

A barnstorming melodrama in which two grieving fathers (Booth and Barrett) kidnap the slimy recluse (Griffith) they suspect of being the rapist who murdered their pre-teen daughters. Having beaten him up somewhat over-enthusiastically, they stash the corpse in the cellar of Booth's pub pending disposal, only to find that he is still alive and an acute embarrassment, since they dare neither let him go nor despatch him in cold blood. Cue for some wild loony tunes as everybody concerned gets hysterically caught up in rape and violence. 'I don't know what's come over us' says Booth's wife (Collins), as she eagerly submits to sexual assault by her stepson.

Excerpt from TimeOut located HERE

When pub owner Booth's daughter is murdered and the police are unable to come up with enough evidence to convict the suspected culprit, Booth and a buddy who also lost his daughter take their own brand of revenge. They kidnap the youth they believe is responsible and subject him to various tortures in an effort to get him to confess. But the kid doesn't budge, and when he turns up dead the theme switches to Booth's guilt and the possibility of having killed the wrong man. A sexual undertone is kept bubbling beneath the surface, with the potential ingredients present for the exploration of complex and important themes.

Excerpt from TV Guide located HERE

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

Revenge, also known by the many, less accurate, titles; After Jenny Died, Behind the Cellar Door, Inn of the Frightened People, and Terror from Under the House, gets an HD transfer to Blu-ray from Network.  It's single-layered - but looks superior to SD. Colors and flesh tones seem authentic and there is some minor depth in the 1.66:1 frame.  It's clean - showcasing some pleasing detail and there are really no flaws or prevalent damage with the rendering.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

Network use a linear PCM 2.0 channel at 1536 kbps (16-bit) and its clean and clear.
Eric Rogers (famous for many Carry On... film scores as well as the Quest For Love - coincidentally also with Joan Collins and also made in 1971) wrote and conducted the music but it's fairly unremarkable. There are optional English subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'B'-locked.

 

Extras :

Not much. There is an original theatrical trailer, an image gallery with posters and title cards. In the root of the disc has the film's script as a PDF and the package has a liner notes booklet with text by Professor Neil Sinyard.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I wasn't expecting too much from Revenge after reading a few reviews but when I saw it was directed by Sidney Hayers (Burn, Witch, Burn) my hopes were somewhat elevated. There are enough positives that I enjoyed the film and its misdirected drama - intriguing 'exacting revenge' plot, I liked the Pub/Inn atmosphere, the family conflict (albeit seemingly contrived) and Joan Collins + James Booth carried their performances well - nice to see a glimpse of Geoffrey Hughes (Eddie Yates of Coronation Street fame.) The Network Blu-ray provides a decent a/v presentation. I might even watch this again as I can forgive the film's odd weaknesses. No masterpiece but plenty of tension. To each his own. 

Gary Tooze

July 30th, 2016