ADDITION: Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - November 17': This was one of Network's best DVD packages - a great film, filled with extras. It was actually a 2-dic Special Edition. The 1080P transfer takes huge strides over the SD from 2007.

Firstly, the image looks far more 'in natural ratio' with normal sized heads not alien-looking elongated ones (see the first Peggy Cummins captures below). The DVD was in 1.78 while this new Blu-ray is in the original 1.66:1 AR. It shows a lot more information in the frame on all 4 sides. Contrast is more layered, the image is brighter and detail advances demonstratively. There is also plenty of depth.

On the negative, there is not much grain and it looks to have some digitization. But it doesn't have much gloss and whether you are acceptable depend on your level of sensitivity. It didn't bother me although it was visible. I think most will appreciate the vastly improved visual quality over DVD.

Audio goes linear PCM and this uncompressed obviously advances over the lossy DVD audio. There are plenty of aggressive effects to dangerous truck driving, accidents, fights etc. The score is by Hubert Clifford and does a reasonable job of supporting the film. I appreciate that Network have added optional English subtitles (for the accents) - see sample below - and their Blu-ray disc is Region 'B'-locked.

Extras duplicate the extensive 2-disc SE DVD (see below) with the commentary, the Danger Man episode, the - over hour-long - Who Killed Lamb? thriller with Stanley Baker, interviews, gallery, Return to the Rhondda documentary, PDF files in the root of the disc, the booklet and they add Full Screen Ahead - a 25-minute long, BFI, documentary with Peggy Cummins.

I like Network - they have never sent me product to review but I like their choice of films and the effort they put forth with minimal budgets. I love this. This package has a great Blu-ray cover too - this is a total giveaway at the current price - tons of value - great film stacked with solid performances and notable names plus a multitude of extras (almost 3-hours worth!). SOLD! Absolutely recommended!

***

ON THE DVD: Firstly, this is a damn fine film - although we have it on our Film Noir page  - I, personally, don't know that it enters into that style listing... but I'm sure someone could create an argument to support its inclusion. The comparisons to The Wages of Fear are appropriate - although this might be considered a super Anglo version with just about every important name in the UK actor's guild appearing. Like the Clouzot classic it has its own seething intensity - gripping and harsh with male bonding (and betrayal) at its crux. Wow...

This DVD edition follows another poorer one from ITV that came out in 2004 and promptly went out-of-print in the UK very quickly. I can see that the film itself is the reason for the popularity. This Network DVD is a Special Edition - 2 disc effort - anamorphic, progressive and dual-layered. The image quality is weak and looks both waxy and out of ratio  (vertically streatched). There are speckles and looked waxy on my plasma.  Audio is unremarkable and flat but consistent with audible dialogue. Unlike the weaker single-disc ITV edition there are no subtitles offered.

There was a lot of effort put into the supplements of this DVD package. There is an audio commentary with sound assistant Harry Fairbairn and journalist Andrew Robertson. Robertson has quite the strong Scottish accent but after a few sentences most will get used to it. It is not totally off-the-cuff but miles away from a Criterion commentary - still some interesting details are imparted and there are some gaps where the narrative is left to run. It is not a bad effort at all really. There is a 15 minute Interview with Stanley Baker - actually entitled The Stanley Baker Story. A good overview of the man and some of his work. There is also a featurette on Disc one entitled Looking in on Hell Drivers. It runs almost 15 minutes - is archival - a bit of promo on the film and some talk with real 'Hell drivers". Disc one concludes with a healthy slideshow stills gallery with 38 images, including some posters, another gallery from the comic strip that closely resembles the film - 19 panels worth and there is an un-restored theatrical trailer.

Disc 2 offers some unrelated TV work of some of the stars of the film. An hour long thriller starring Stanley Baker called Who Killed Lamb? - and a Danger Man episode called Loyalty Always Pays with McGoohan. Also less than a minute of silent footage of Stanley Baker unveiling a plaque at his birthplace. There is a 1960's Bruce Lewis interview of Stanley Baker about the violence in his films - it runs less than 5 minutes. Finally on the digital front there is an hour long 1965 documentary featuring Stanley Baker called Return to the Rhondda. Also included in the package is a nicely appointed 24-page booklet with an essay and some photos. Great job Network - probably the most complete DVD package I can recall seeing from them after their Black Narcissus.

I was very impressed by the film - really seems to have carved out a niche following for itself and is a genuine piece of grassroots history now. Strongly recommended! 

Gary W. Tooze