Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

Limited to 3,000 copies

DVD included

Bitrate:

 

 

 

The Film:

Playwright Peter Nichols adapted his own blackly comic 1967 Tony Award-winning play for this confrontational film version by director Peter Medak. Alan Bates and Janet Suzman play a married couple struggling to come to terms with their daughter's disability using comedy and cruelty to dispel the desperation of their situation. This uncomfortable, provocative film about marriage, children and life choices is startlingly funny as well as deeply moving.

In Bristol, England, Bri's otherwise stressful day of teaching at a noisy boy's school is frequently interrupted by his fantasies of making love to his wife Sheila. When he returns to their home, which is filled with a menagerie of pets and his darkly expressive paintings, he startles Sheila by attaching a student's toy spider to his cheek, and tries to seduce her. Reminding him that their ten-year-old daughter Josephine will soon be home from care and require feeding and a bath, Sheila, an amateur actress, suggests that they ask Bri's mother Grace to babysit, so that he can attend her rehearsal. Refusing, Bri half-teasingly accuses Sheila of having an affair with Freddie Underwood, his best childhood friend and a successful businessman who is in her theater group. After Jo, a severely brain damaged child in a vegetative state, is brought home in her wheelchair, Bri and Sheila pretend that she tells them about her day. As they have done for many years, they make self-mocking, dark-humored jokes, and project onto their child a fictitious personality who is eccentric and willful.

Excerpt TCM located HERE

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

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg arrives on Blu-ray from Indicator out of the UK. This is dual-layered with a max'ed out bitrate and looks exceptionally strong in 1080P. The visuals are very crisp looking tight in the film's many close-ups. Colors (flesh tones) looks authentic and there is plenty of depth. The grain is fine and even. The film is transferred in the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio.  I see no flaws - it looks just as good in-motion. This Blu-ray offers a rewarding and impressive presentation in 1080P.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The audio is transferred via a linear PCM authentically mono at 1152 kbps (24-bit). There is no credited score but there are dynamic audio effects in the film. There are two notable sequences with impacting audio - a, gentle, slow motion scene with the daughter and a latter, aggressive, scene walking/running on the beach. The uncompressed track exports these extremely well and dialogue is always clean and clear. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE - playable world-wide.

Extras :

There is an audio commentary included with the director of Joe Egg, Peter Medak (The Changling) and film historian Sam Dunn (Ex-BFI Video). I haven't had a chance to indulge but look forward to doing so soon. There are also two new interviews; Remembering the Day: Janet Suzman on 'Joe Egg' - a new 20-minute interview with the captivating South Africa born actress (who is excellent in 'Joe Egg', btw). From Stage to Screen has the playwright Peter Nichols discussing the remarkable transformation of his play into the film for almost 20-minutes. There is also an original theatrical trailer and the package has a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Marcus Hearn, Peter Nichols on the making of the film, and a look at the original Citizens Theatre stage production. Being dual format a DVD is included and this edition is limited to 3,000 copies.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg can produce an uncomfortable viewing - and at the same time the film is... astonishing. A heart-breaking subject that the participants can deal with using carefree humor... and love. We are exposed to themes of guilt, denial, communication, sex, expectations, marriage, coping, tragedy, and enduring dispair. This is a unique and highly remarkable film that deserves its accolades. The Indicator Blu-ray presentation is exceptionally strong and the package contains a commentary, new interviews and a booklet. This is the upper tier of Blu-ray quality - an exceptional film looking and sounding wonderful plus the appreciated supplements. This is a very special film. Absolutely recommended... to everyone! 

Gary Tooze

August 19th, 2017

 

Reissued by Indicator in August 2022: or buy directly from them: