Review of Brief Encounter: Special Edition

Introduction

For those of you who with Region 2 players only, or find the R1 Criterion version too expensive, here comes a version of this British classic from Carlton. Is it any good? The film speaks for itself…long held as one of the best British films ever made, Brief Encounter is thoroughly English in both manner and morals, and made by legendary film-makers Noel Coward and David Lean.

Video

For an almost 50 year-old film, Carlton have done a very good job in finding a good print and, presumably, also restoring it. Presented in the original black-and-white 4:3 ratio, the picture is at most times reasonably sharp and shows not as much grain as you might expect. Of course, the picture is sometimes soft and there are always specks dotted around the screen, but all in all extremely watchable. Compare the quality of this to the blurred snowstorm of a trailer and the difference is remarkable. A transfer to hold near to, if not actually equal, the Criterion studio’s famous restoration.

Audio

Again, the original 2.0 mix is included here, and is also extremely satisfactory. The dialogue is at all times clear and the sound `effects` – mostly based in the main set of the train station – also can be heard without distortion.

Features

The jewel in the crown of a nice set of extras is the new 22-minute documentary. This includes interviews from one of the original producers and one of the few actors still living, as well as the daughter of Celia Johnson. Although at times a little too self-congratulatory, Carlton have included an informative documentary that reveals much about the making of this classic.

Also included is the trailer, a photo gallery and detailed cast and crew biographies. The menus are nicely understated, reflecting the whole theme of the film.

Conclusion

Brief Encounter is a finely crafted film, well deserving of its place in film history. Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard put in strong performances as the two leads, and Lean directs with understated mastery that contrasts with his later epics. The script is essentially a simple tale of forbidden love, but executed brilliantly. Brief Encounter’s weak point comes with the narration: told in flashback style and obviously written from a stage beginning. The delivery seems flat and the dialogue – although beautiful at times – slips into what modern audiences would see as corniness. Much of the narration is concerned with the banal, even extending to the British love of discussing the weather(“I was rather hot. So I sat down”). However, this is acceptable for Brief Encounter is very much a product of its time: a film that marked the end of pre-WWII chivalry and romanticism within the film industry, and a forerunner to so many of the full-blown romances to come out of Hollywood.

This Carlton version should inevitably be compared to the US Criterion version, and is indeed almost worthy of its Yank counterpart. The picture is good for the age of the movie – although not quite as good – and a substantial documentary is included, instead of the Criterion commentary. This movie and DVD is essential for anyone with a love for film.