Review of Chain, The

Introduction

Charting a day in the life of various characters as they attempt to flit up through the London boroughs with the aid of that most chaotic of house moving escapades - a property chain. It`s up to Bamber (Warren Mitchell) and the crew at Last Removals to ensure things run smoothly, to keep the morale high and philosophise their way through a hectic day.

Featuring a host of familiar faces, this light-hearted British film was an early production from Channel Four`s Film Four Productions.

Video

1.66:1 non-anamorphic

Fine, considering the film dates back to 1984.

Audio

Dolby Digital 2.0 which is perfectly clear, though bell and whistle free.

There are, however, no subtitles on the disc.

Features

Ten years after `The Chain` in 1994, Jack Rosenthal turned his hand to adopting a television series follow up-cum-sequel called `Moving Day`, with Warren Clarke in the role of Bamber. The 80 minute pilot episode is presented on the disc, and is the only bonus content.

It may not be a whole lot, but it`s better than a trailer and some film notes. Or nothing.

Conclusion

Despite having dated terribly (or perhaps that should be because it`s dated so wonderfully - it`s so hard to tell with 80`s movies) `The Chain` is a charmingly agreeable quasi-comedy. For the most part, it`s consistently entertaining, with plenty of chuckles as a result of the typically British humour. From eager young Des moving from his mum`s house in Hackney to his first flat with his girlfriend, all the way up the chain to the Knightsbridge moneybags mansion and Thomas (his bittersweet story played out by in fine effect by Leo McKern in a small role), every independent, yet naturally linked facet of the story is perhaps even more relevant now than in the Thatcherite years in which it`s set, with some sticky barbs against the consistent chasing of betterment through material wealth, so prevalent at the time.

It`s clearly Warren Mitchell`s show. The jolly optimism and existential musings his character Bamber is so quick to fire off really carry the film, and as he and his crew form the heart of the chain, so to does Mitchell form the heart of the movie. But most, if not all characters in the film benefit from some sharp writing, not least in terms of the oddball character personas. Nigel Hawthorne`s pernickety kleptomaniac determined to leave no fixture or fitting behind, Maurice Denham`s old misery of a Grandpa (who of course, always knows best), and Billie Whitelaw as the steadfast widow who threatens to break the chain all make the film what it is - an endearing, perfectly British film with a hint of satire and a dash of anti-consumerism subtext.

A solid buy at a budget release.