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Four iconic titles from the 70s and 80s on Indicator Blu-ray in June

5 April 2019

On 24 June, Indicator presents a selection of iconic independent productions from the 1970s and 80s which bring together some of British film and television’s most celebrated talents, both on and off screen, including award-winning cinematographers Phil Méheux and Peter Hannan – both of whom worked closely with us to ensure that the films all look as they originally intended.

Anthony Simmons’ groundbreaking Black Joy (1977), starring Norman Beaton, Trevor Thomas and Floella Benjamin, tells the story of a naïve Guyanese immigrant who learns the hard way about life on the streets of Brixton; Alan Clarke’s iconic and controversial Scum (1979), starring Ray Winstone (Nil by Mouth, Sexy Beast) and Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia, Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire), is a searing portrayal of a young offender condemned to serve time in the brutal borstal system, presented here in a special edition to mark its 40th anniversary.

Richard Loncraine’s ribald comedy The Missionary (1982), written by and starring Michael Palin (Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Ripping Yarns), and co-starring Maggie Smith (Richard III, The Lady in the Van), follows the fortunes of a young priest whose hands-on approach to saving the fallen women of London meets with disapproval of both the church and his patron; and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987), directed by the great Jack Clayton and starring Maggie Smith and Bob Hoskins (The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa), is a deeply affecting study of unrequited love. Produced by George Harrison’s HandMade Films, both films have been newly restored in 2K from the original negatives by Powerhouse Films under the supervision of cinematographer Peter Hannan.

Mastered from the finest available materials, each of these collectable Limited Editions contains an extensive selection of new and archival extra features and English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Black Joy, The Missionary and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne all include Limited Edition exclusive booklets which contain newly commissioned essays, contemporary reviews, and film credits. Scum is published in a rigid-board slipcase with a perfect-bound 80-page book and a double-sided poster that features high-quality reproductions of rarely seen original designs.

 

Black Joy Limited Edition Blu-ray cover art

Black Joy (1977) | Limited Edition Blu-ray | 24 June 2019 | £15.99

Based on Jamal Ali’s acclaimed stage play Dark Days and Light NightsBlack Joy tells the story of a naïve Guyanese immigrant who learns the hard way about life on the streets of Brixton.

Presenting vivid characters, terrific action, and a superb soundtrack of soul, funk, dub and reggae, Anthony Simmons’ gritty film is an honest and insightful comic drama, exposing the lives of unemployed black Britons and immigrants in a ghettoised London.

Starring Norman Beaton (Pressure, Desmond’s), Trevor Thomas (Inseminoid, Playing Away), Floella Benjamin (Play School, Run, Fat Boy, Run), and a young Oscar James (EastEnders), Black Joy comes to Blu-ray for the very first time.

Indicator Limited Edition Blu-ray features:

  • High Definition remaster, newly re-graded and approved by cinematographer Phil Méheux
  • Original mono audio
  • The BEHP Interview with Anthony Simmons (1997): an archival audio recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring the prolific director in conversation with filmmaker Rodney Giesler
  • Interview with actor Trevor Thomas(2019)
  • Interview with actor Floella Benjamin(2019)
  • Interview with actor Oscar James (2019)
  • Interview with playwright and screenwriter Jamal Ali (2019)
  • Interview with producer Martin Campbell (2019)
  • Interview with cinematographer Phil Méheux (2019)
  • Featurette exploring the film’s London locations (2019)
  • Bow Bells (1954): Anthony Simmons’ nostalgic short film about London’s East End
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
  • New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
  • Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Josie Dolan, recollections by director Anthony Simmons and star Norman Beaton, Michael Brooke on Bow Bells, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits
  • World premiere on Blu-ray
  • Limited Edition of 3,000 copies
  • All extras subject to change

 

Scum Limited Edition Blu-ray cover art

Scum (1979) | Limited Edition Blu-ray | 24 June 2019 | £17.99

After the banning of their original 1977 BBC TV version, director Alan Clarke (The Firm) and writer Roy Minton (Funny Farm) set out to remake their drama for the big screen to ensure that their vision got the audience it deserved. The resulting film, released here in a special Blu-ray edition to mark its 40th anniversary, was an even more vitriolic portrait of a corrupt and violent institution which stunned cinema audiences and caused outrage.

Uncompromising in its depiction of everyday violence, retribution, suicide and sexual assault, Scum remains a cornerstone of the British realist cinema movement, and a savage and still shocking indictment of institutionalised violence and abuse.

Indicator Limited Edition Blu-ray features:

  • 2013 2K restoration from the original negatives, newly re-graded and approved by cinematographer Phil Méheux
  • Original mono audio
  • Audio commentary with actor Ray Winstone and film critic Nigel Floyd (2006) 
  • Interview with actor Mick Ford (2019) 
  • Interview with actor Ray Burdis (2019)
  • Interview with actor Perry Benson (2019)
  • Interview with cinematographer Phil Méheux (2019) 
  • Interview with associate producer Martin Campbell (2019) 
  • Interview with producer Don Boyd (2019)
  • Interview with editor Michael Bradsell(2019) 
  • Cast Memories (2005): featuring interviews with Phil Daniels and Julian Firth
  • Archival interview with writer Roy Minton and producer Clive Parsons(2004)
  • Archival interview with writer Roy Minton (2005)
  • Archival interview with producers Davina Belling and Clive Parsons (2005)
  • Archival interview with producer Don Boyd (2005)
  • Original ‘U’ and ‘X’ certificate theatrical trailers 
  • Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
  • New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
  • Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Ashley Clark, recollections from cast and crew members, archival interviews with Alan Clarke, an extract from writer Roy Minton’s novelisation, a look at Mary Whitehouse’s High Court case over the film’s television broadcast, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits
  • Limited Edition of 5,000 copies
  • All extras subject to change

 

The Missionary Limited Edition Blu-ray cover art

The Missionary (1982) | Limited Edition Blu-ray | 24 June 2019 | £15.99

Monty Python alumnus Michael Palin writes and stars in this ribald comedy of sex and sensibility. Timid Reverend Charles Fortescue returns to London in 1906 after ten years of service in Africa to start a mission to save the fallen women of Soho. But his dedication to tending to the needs of those in his care soon meets with the disapproval of the church and his patron.

Directed by Richard Loncraine (Richard IIIBellman & True), The Missionary is a charming and beautifully detailed comedy which boasts a superb supporting cast that includes Maggie Smith, Trevor Howard, Denholm Elliott, Michael Hordern, Graham Crowden and Neil Innes.

This world Blu-ray premiere edition boasts a stunning new 2K restoration from the original negatives, supervised and approved by cinematographer Peter Hannan and director Richard Loncraine, finally enabling the film to be seen in its original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio for the first time ever on any home video format.

Indicator Limited Edition Blu-ray features:

  • New 2K restoration by Powerhouse Films from the original negative, supervised and approved by cinematographer Peter Hannan and director Richard Loncraine
  • Original stereo audio
  • Audio commentary with director Richard Loncraine (2019)
  • Making the Missionary (2019): featuring new and exclusive interviews with stars Michael Palin and Maggie Smith
  • Interview with Shuna Harwood (2019): new interview with the costume designer
  • Interview with Mike Moran (2019): the film’s composer discusses his collaborations with HandMade Films
  • Interview with Ken Lintott (2019): new interview with the make-up artist
  • Interview with Tony Jackson (2019): new interview with the sound recordist
  • Rob Deering on ‘The Missionary’ (2019): an appreciation by the comedian, musician and writer
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
  • New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
  • Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by John Oliver, extracts from Michael Palin’s diaries on the film’s location shooting, archival interviews with Palin, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits
  • First ever home video presentation in the film's original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio
  • World premiere on Blu-ray
  • Limited Edition of 5,000 copies
  • All extras subject to change

 

The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne Blu-ray cover art

The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987) | Limited Edition Blu-ray | 24 June 2019 | £15.99

Based on the acclaimed novel by Brian Moore, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne was the final feature film to be made by celebrated filmmaker Jack Clayton (The InnocentsThe Pumpkin Eater), and boasts a truly outstanding performance by multi-award-winning actor Maggie Smith.

In 1950s Belfast, penniless spinster Judith Hearne (Smith) falls for charismatic James (Bob Hoskins). Succumbing to his attentions, Judith makes a series of profound changes to her life, including re-evaluating her deep relationship with her church, to enable the love for which she so desperately yearns.

Poignant and powerful, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne was the recipient of a BAFTA award for Smith, but has since become somewhat overlooked. Now finally available on Blu-ray for the very first time, one of the finest British films of the 1980s is presented in a brand new 2K restoration from the original negatives, supervised and approved by cinematographer Peter Hannan.

Indicator Limited Edition Blu-ray features:

  • New 2K restoration by Powerhouse Films from the original negative, supervised and approved by cinematographer Peter Hannan
  • Original stereo audio
  • Remembering Judith Hearne(2019): featuring new and exclusive interviews with actors Maggie Smith, Ian McNeice and Rudi Davies
  • Selected scenes commentary with film historian Neil Sinyard
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
  • New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
  • Limited edition exclusive booklet featuring Pauline Kael’s appraisal of the film, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits
  • World premiere on Blu-ray
  • Limited Edition of 3,000 copies
  • All extras subject to change