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

ADDITION: Studiocanal Blu-ray (July 2025): Studiocanal have transferred Robert Day's Two Way Stretch to Blu-ray. We reviewed Lionsgate's The Peter Sellers 5-film Collection that includes Two Way Stretch in 2009 on duller, softer, DVD HERE. We compared a couple of captures below. The 1080P showcases the film's black-and-white cinematography with remarkable film-like HD presentation, sourced from a high-quality restoration likely derived from the original camera negative or a fine-grain master. The image is clean and pristine, free from dirt, scratches, speckling, or emulsion damage, allowing Geoffrey Faithfull's (First Man Into Space, Village of the Damned, The Terrornauts) crisp visuals to shine through in scenes of prison interiors and the nighttime heist, where shadows and contrasts are rendered with deep blacks and balanced grayscale without crushing details. Fine grain is natural and film-like, enhancing textures in costumes, faces, and set pieces, such as the cluttered cells and bustling prison yard, while maintaining the era's aesthetic without overzealous digital enhancements. Night sequences, particularly the diamond robbery, open up dynamically, revealing subtle nuances in lighting that heighten the comedic tension. Overall, this transfer elevates the film's visual appeal, making it a significant upgrade from prior DVD editions and a testament to StudioCanal's commitment to preserving British cinema classics, though some minor fluctuations in density typical of 1960s film stock are occasionally noticeable but do not detract from the outstanding presentation.

NOTE: We have added 54 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. The sound design of Two Way Stretch is functional, prioritizing clear dialogue to deliver the script’s rapid-fire humor. Sound effects, such as the clanging of prison gates or the comedic crashes during the heist, are used sparingly but effectively to punctuate the slapstick. The score by Ken Jones (Passport to Shame, Offbeat, Indiscreet, The City of the Dead)) is lively and jazzy, with upbeat brass and percussion that amplify the film’s mischievous tone. The music underscores key moments, like the heist’s frenetic buildup, without overpowering the dialogue or performances. While not as memorable as scores from other Sellers films, it complements the comedic pacing and adds a playful energy that suits the caper’s lighthearted anarchy. The uncompressed transfer faithfully reproduces the film's original sound design with clarity and fidelity, ensuring that the witty dialogue and comedic timing are front and center. Peter Sellers' charismatic delivery as Dodger Lane, along with the ensemble's rapid-fire banter, comes through crisp and intelligible, free from distortion or hiss. Studiocanal offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The extras on the StudioCanal Blu-ray provide a solid array of supplementary material that delves into the film's production and Peter Sellers' legacy, starting with the new 1/4 hour featurette Peter Sellers: Criminally Good, which explores the making of the film through fresh interviews with Peter Lydon (director of BBC Arena’s The Peter Sellers Story) and Vic Pratt (co-author of The Bodies Beneath: The Flipside of British Film and Television,) offering insights into Sellers' role and the film's place in British comedy. Equally compelling is Two Way Stretch: Sellers on the Inside, a new 1/4 hour piece incorporating archival interview footage from the 1992 documentary Seller’s Best with figures like Roy Boulting, Beryl Reid, Bryan Forbes, Sidney Gilliat, and Mai Zetterling, providing anecdotal reflections on Sellers' early career and his performance in this caper. The audio commentary by authors and comedy historians Gemma Ross (The Carry On Girls) and Robert Ross (The First Rule of Comedy..!: Memories and Moments) is informative, though somewhat dry, covering production details, cast anecdotes, and the film's satirical elements with scholarly depth but lacking in enthusiasm. Additional bonuses include a behind-the-scenes stills gallery, showcasing rare production photos that add visual context to the film's creation, and the original trailer, which captures the movie's playful marketing. While not exhaustive, these extras offer valuable historical and analytical content for fans, balancing new and archival material to enrich appreciation of Sellers' work.

Robert Day's Two Way Stretch is a quintessential British comedy caper that captures the irreverent spirit of post-war British cinema. Starring Peter Sellers (The Party, Mr. Topaze, Being There, Hoffman, The Blockhouse) as the charismatic criminal mastermind Dodger Lane, the film combines sharp dialogue, slapstick humor, and a satirical take on the British penal system to deliver a fast-paced, crowd-pleasing heist comedy. With a stellar ensemble cast, including David Lodge (The League of Gentlemen,) Bernard Cribbins (Frenzy,) Wilfrid Hyde-White (Ten Little Indians,) and Lionel Jeffries (Sudden Terror, Camelot, First Men in the Moon,) and a tightly constructed script by John Warren and Len Heath, Two Way Stretch stands as a notable entry in the British comedy tradition, blending elements of Ealing Studios’ irreverence with the emerging anarchic humor that would define the 1960s. Two Way Stretch is primarily a lighthearted caper, but it weaves subtle satirical commentary into its narrative, particularly targeting the British penal system and societal attitudes toward crime and authority. The film pokes fun at the laxity of Huntleigh Prison, depicted as a cozy institution where inmates enjoy tea, newspapers, and minimal oversight, reflecting a post-war perception of some prisons as overly lenient. Two Way Stretch is a delightful slice of 1960s British comedy, driven by Peter Sellers’ magnetic performance and a stellar ensemble that brings its clever script to life. Its satirical take on the penal system, class dynamics, and greed, while light, adds depth to a fast-paced caper filled with slapstick and wit. Robert Day’s direction, Geoffrey Faithfull’s inventive cinematography, and Ken Jones’ jazzy score create a cohesive and entertaining experience that captures the mischievous spirit of its era. Though occasionally formulaic and limited by dated gender roles, the film’s energy, humor, and charismatic performances ensure its enduring appeal. For fans of Sellers, British comedy, or heist films, Two Way Stretch remains a charming and laugh-out-loud gem that holds its own in the canon of classic capers. The StudioCanal Blu-ray release of Two Way Stretch is an excellent presentation of a beloved British comedy caper, celebrating Peter Sellers' centenary with a restored transfer that delivers outstanding video and solid audio quality, making the film's witty script and ensemble performances shine brighter than ever.

Gary Tooze