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

ADDITION: Studiocanal Blu-ray (January 2026): Studiocanal have transferred Sidney Gilliat's "Only Two Can Play" to Blu-ray as part of Peter Sellers's centenary celebrations. It is sourced from a new 4K restoration, delivering a visually stunning presentation that captures the film's black-and-white cinematography with exceptional fine detailing, sharp lines in close-ups, natural texturing across fabrics and environments, and a well-preserved grain structure that enhances the provincial Welsh settings without any intrusive artifacts or source damage. The expansive greyscale provides depth and contrast, making the mundane yet evocative backdrops of rundown apartments and rural landscapes feel vividly tactile, far surpassing expectations for a 1962 production and highlighting the subtle comedic framing and realistic atmosphere that director Sidney Gilliat intended. .

NOTE: We have added 58 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Studiocanal use a linear PCM dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Peter Sellers's nuanced Welsh inflections and the sharp, acerbic exchanges come through with energetic precision - lines like Sellers's quips about tailors or artistic methods land with witty precision, blending earthy humor with subtle pathos - while Richard Rodney Bennett's (Heavens Above, Secret Ceremony, Billy Liar Figures in a Landscape Far From the Madding Crowd, The Witches, Equus, The Man Who Could Cheat Death,) jaunty score provides a light musical underscore that complements the film's comedic rhythms without overpowering its satirical edge, often accentuating moments of awkward flirtation or domestic tension with whimsical flair. It ensures an immersive experience that supports the film's tonal shifts from farce to introspection. . Studiocanal offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Studiocanal Blu-ray supplements totaling around 40 minutes of video content plus supplementary material, is solidly Sellers-centric and provides insightful glimpses into the film's production and legacy: a new 11-minute featurette with Vic Pratt (co-author of The Bodies Beneath: The Flipside of British Film and Television,) and Peter Lydon (director of BBC Arena’s The Peter Sellers Story) offers expert analysis of Sellers's career  (Two Way Stretch, Carlton-Browne of the F.O., Heavens Above, The Party, Mr. Topaze, Being There, Hoffman, The Blockhouse) context and the movie's place in his oeuvre; a 20-minutes behind-the-scenes segment draws from archival footage featuring Mai Zetterling, Bryan Forbes, Sidney Gilliat, and Roy Boulting, sharing anecdotes on the adaptation and on-set dynamics. The programme contains interview footage originally shot on Digibeta for "Seller's Best" directed by Paul Joyce and transmitted by Channel Four. There is also an 8.5 minute audio extract from a BEHP interview with Gilliat plays over film clips, delving into directorial choices; and a stills gallery rounds out the set with production photos, posters etc..

Sidney Gilliat's "Only Two Can Play" stands as a poignant blend of comedy, farce, and social drama in early 1960s British cinema. Set in the fictional Welsh town of Aberdarcy, the film captures the frustrations of working-class life through the lens of marital restlessness and unfulfilled ambitions. It emerged during a transitional period in British film, bridging the kitchen-sink realism with lighter comedic fare, while subtly critiquing provincial boredom and class divides. Peter Sellers, in one of his more restrained pre-Pink Panther roles, anchors the narrative, showcasing his versatility beyond slapstick and underscores its enduring appeal as a hidden gem in the actor's filmography. Mai Zetterling (director of Loving Couples, Night Games, The Girls) shines as Liz, infusing the role with teasing sensuality and complexity; her chemistry with Sellers elevates their abortive encounters into comedic highlights, portraying her not as a mere temptress but a multifaceted woman seeking escape from her own ennui. Virginia Maskell (Jet Storm) provides a finely judged counterbalance as Jean, her performance laced with melancholy and quiet strength, underscoring the film's avoidance of stereotypes despite Sellers's reported objections to her casting. At its core, Only Two Can Play dissects the "seven-year itch" of marital dissatisfaction, portraying infidelity not as mere titillation but as a symptom of deeper existential unrest in post-war Britain. John's lechery stems from a mid-life crisis amplified by class constraints: low wages, substandard housing, and the soul-crushing banality of small-town life in industrial Wales. Sidney Gilliat's (Fortune Is a Woman, Green for Danger, Endless Night, State Secret, The Green Man,) direction deftly navigates the film's tonal shifts, blending slapstick farce with grounded drama to create a cohesive whole that feels both lively and introspective.  The film satirizes provincial pretensions - through pompous local theater and bureaucratic hurdles. Broader themes include the early stirrings of the Sexual Revolution, with subtle nods to cultural shifts (e.g., references to Lady Chatterley's Lover), and the tension between personal desires and societal respectability. The StudioCanal Blu-ray of Only Two Can Play is an impressive a/v presentation of a hidden gem in Peter Sellers's filmography. The film earns praise for its warmth, freshness, and incisive humor. Noted for its tonal ambiguity - oscillating between light comedy, farce, and satire - which mirrors the characters' internal conflicts, ultimately favoring empathy over judgment. Certainly recommended.

Gary Tooze