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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (July 2025): Indicator has transferred Alan Bridges' The Hireling to Blu-ray. It is on a single-layered disc with a middling bitrate. Cinematographer Michael Reed (Rasputin: The Mad Monk, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, The Pleasure Girls, The Gorgon,) alongside Bridges’ meticulous direction, craft a visual landscape that is understated yet evocative, mirroring the characters’ internal struggles and the rigid social hierarchy of the era. The color palette is deliberately muted, dominated by soft greens, grays, and browns that evoke the damp, overcast English countryside and the stagnation of the post-war period. This subdued palette reflects the emotional repression of the characters, particularly Lady Franklin (Sarah Miles) and Steven Ledbetter (Robert Shaw), whose inner turmoil is rarely expressed openly. Shadows and contrasts are well-balanced in the 1080P transfer, particularly in darker scenes, and the clarity highlights the emotional nuance in close-ups of Robert Shaw and Sarah Miles. This HD presentation elevates the film’s understated beauty, making it a visually immersive experience for viewers.

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

On their Blu-ray, Indicator uses a linear PCM mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. The subtle ambient sounds (such as the hum of the car engine or the rustle of leaves) are distinct, enhancing the film’s intimate atmosphere. Marc Wilkinson’s (If..., The Triple Echo, Quatermass, The Blood on Satan's Claw, Venom) sparse score (with its delicate piano and string arrangements) is rendered with warmth and clarity, though the mono mix limits its dynamic range. The audio transfer is clean and effective, complementing the film’s restrained tone without overpowering its quiet intensity. Indicator offers optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a host of supplements. The Driving Force is from 2020, running shy of a dozen minutes. It features actors Sarah Miles and Ian Hogg, composer Marc Wilkinson, and crew members Hugh Harlow, Brenda Dabbs, and Maureen Newman, sharing memories of the production and offering a glimpse into the collaborative process. The Lady and the Chauffeur (runs 11 minutes and also from 2020) sees the same contributors discussing the lead actors’ performances, highlighting Shaw’s intensity and Miles’ fragility. The archival BEHP Interview with Phyllis Dalton (Doctor Zhivago, The Princess Bride, Henry V) - from 2000 running 105 minutes - is a standout with the costume designer detailing her craft in a lengthy, engaging conversation with Rodney Giesler. The original theatrical trailer and Larry Karaszewski’s 2021 trailer-from-hell commentary provide a concise critical perspective, while the image gallery showcases promotional materials. The limited-edition 32-page booklet, with a new essay by Peter Cowie (Revolution!: The Explosion of World Cinema in the 60s,) archival interviews with screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz (The Day the Earth Caught Fire,) critical overviews, and film credits, is a collector’s delight, offering rich context and analysis.

Alan Bridges' The Hireling is a subtle yet incisive British drama that dissects the complexities of class, emotional repression, and unrequited desire in the aftermath of World War I. Set in the early 1920s, the film uses the relationship between a grieving aristocratic widow, Lady Franklin (Sarah Miles - Ryan's Daughter, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace, The Servant, Hope and Glory,) and her working-class chauffeur, Steven Ledbetter (Robert Shaw - A Reflection of Fear, From Russia with Love, Jaws, Force 10 from Navarone, Figures in a Landscape, A Town Called Hell, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three) to explore the rigid social hierarchies of post-war England and the personal toll of unexpressed emotions. Through its restrained storytelling, nuanced performances, and meticulous attention to period detail, The Hireling offers a poignant critique of societal constraints and the human cost of maintaining appearances. The Blu-ray's restored high-definition video supports the film’s melancholic visuals, while the clean mono audio ensures the intimate dialogue and subtle sound design shine. The robust extras (particularly the production featurettes and extensive Phyllis Dalton interview) provide valuable insights into the film’s creation and performances, making this release a treasure for cinephiles and fans of British cinema. The accompanying booklet adds scholarly depth, rounding out a package that honors the film’s nuanced exploration of class and repression. A fascinating film that is absolutely recommended.  

Gary Tooze