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

ADDITION: Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray (September 2025): Vinegar Syndrome Labs have transferred David Greene's The Strange Affair to Blu-ray. It is cited as "Newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original negative". Cinematography by Alex Thomson (The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, The Man Who Would Be King, Far from the Madding Crowd, Casino Royale, Fahrenheit 451, The Girl-Getters, The Masque of the Red Death) captures London's gritty locales in widescreen color. The production's fragmented style, though criticized for uneven pacing and over-reliance on coincidence, effectively induces a "pop-art headache," aligning with 1960s experimental cinema. The 1080P transfer supports the gritty vibrancy of Swinging London's urban landscapes with rich, natural colors - vibrancy in the pop-art sequences and moody shadows in the procedural scenes - while preserving a fine, organic film grain that avoids any digital scrubbing or artifacts. Close-ups reveal intricate textures in costumes and sets, and the widescreen framing enhances the disorienting camera work, making the film's experimental style pop with newfound sharpness. Overall, this restoration elevates the visuals far beyond previous formats, offering a pristine viewing experience that honors the original cinematography. Great job Vinegar Syndrome Labs.

NOTE: We have added 90 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Vinegar Syndrome use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It provides clear and balanced sound that suits the film's era and style. Dialogue comes through evenly without distortion, even in bustling street scenes or intense confrontations, while Basil Kirchin's (I Start Counting, Primitive London, The Abominable Dr. Phibes) experimental score - with its jazzy, atmospheric undertones - retains a dynamic range that adds tension without overwhelming the mix. Subtle sound effects, like echoing footsteps in warehouses or the cacophony of 1960s London, are rendered with fidelity, free from hiss or dropout issues common in older prints. Vinegar Syndrome offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Vinegar Syndrome pack their Blu-ray with a solid array of extras that delve into the film's production and legacy, starting with an insightful commentary track by filmmaker, film writer, and producer Kat Ellinger (All The Colours Of Sergio Martino,) who provides historical context and analysis of its themes. The short featurette "Swinging to London" (shy of 5 minutes) features actor Michael York (audio only) reflecting on his role and the era's cultural backdrop, while the substantial "Greene Recruits", over 1/2 hour, making-of documentary includes interviews with production runner Peter Cotton, clapper loaders Arkadi De Rakoff + John Golding, focus puller Harvey Harrison and dubbing editor Keith Palmer, offering behind-the-scenes anecdotes on director David Greene's vision and the challenges of shooting in 1960s London. Rounding out the supplements is "In Like Quince", a 20 minute interview with actor David Glaisyer discussing his experiences, plus reversible sleeve artwork that appeals to collectors.

David Greene's The Strange Affair was adapted from Bernard Toms' novel Sleep of the Unjust and stands as a gritty snapshot of Swinging London, blending police procedural elements with social commentary on corruption, morality, and exploitation. Starring Michael York (Logan's Run, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Taming of the Shrew) as the idealistic rookie PC Peter Strange, Jeremy Kemp (The Blockhouse, Sudden Terror, The Blue Max, Cast a Giant Shadow) as the jaded Detective Sergeant Pierce, and Susan George (Straw Dogs, Sudden Terror, Tintorera, Fright, Venom, Die Screaming Marianne, Enter the Ninja) as the enigmatic Frederika "Fred" March, the film explores the erosion of personal integrity within a flawed justice system. Shot on location in London and at Twickenham Studios, with a screenplay by Oscar Saul (The Silencers, Major Dundee, Affair in Trinidad, A Streetcar Named Desire, Thunder on the Hill, Woman in Hiding, The Lady Gambles, The Dark Past, Road House) and Stanley Mann (Eye of the Needle, Circle of Iron, Theater of Blood, Rapture, The Collector, Woman of Straw,) it reflects the era's cinematic experimentation, incorporating pop-art visuals and a fragmented narrative to heighten tension. At its core, The Strange Affair delves into the theme of institutional corruption within law enforcement, portraying the police force as a morally ambiguous entity where ends justify means. Pierce embodies the cynical veteran who bends rules to combat crime, while Strange represents youthful idealism clashing with systemic rot - a dynamic that critiques the erosion of ethical standards in pursuit of justice. Susan George, in one of her early roles at age 17, brings vivacious energy to Fred, her "ebullient hippie" persona masking vulnerability and drawing attention for its erotic undertones. Retrospectively, it's viewed as a brutal encapsulation of Swinging London's contradictions, deserving rediscovery for its bold themes and era-specific grit. Vinegar Syndrome's Blu-ray release of The Strange Affair is a commendable effort that rescues this underappreciated 1968 curiosity from obscurity, with its top-tier 4K restoration and thoughtful extras making it very desirable for fans of Susan George, enthusiasts of British New Wave cinema and police thrillers.

Gary Tooze