It’s time for The Offence blu-ray review, having had a horror and Dario Argento season I’m going to continue with my mini Sean Connery season starting with a 1972/3 film.
This blu-ray release comes from Eureka Entertainment, so lets find out whether The Offence (1973) is worth a buy.
- The Offence (1973)
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Directed By Sidney Lumet
- Written By John Hopkins
- Music By Harrison Birtwistle
- Cinematography By Gerry Fisher
- UK Rating 15
- Released By Eureka Entertainment Dual Format (Blu-ray & DVD)
- Stars: Sean Connery, Trevor Howard, Vivien Merchant, Ian Bannen, Peter Bowles, Derek Newark, Ronald Radd
Plot
Police Detective Sergeant Johnson (Sean Connery) is investigating a series of child abductions when a possible suspect is arrested and brought to the police station. With the man saying very little he is left to his own thoughts. However Detective Sergeant Johnson decides to have a talk alone with the man.
Things go badly wrong ending in Johnson severely beating the man, who needs hospital treatment.
And before you think I’m giving way too much of the plot away this is one of those films which starts at the end and the proceeds to show you how the situation became out of control.
This is really the story of a detective of 20 years who has seen some of the worst crimes imaginable including those that involve children. He struggles to control all that he has seen and is determined to bring those who perpetrate these horrendous crimes to justice.
Style / Direction
The film has a kind of surreal feel and look as with see Detective Sergeant Johnson’s mind unravel and it works perfectly. Sidney Lumet really does create a very strange and uncomfortable film. The use of the light shone into the camera is one of the ways he shows Sergeant Johnson (Sean Connery) confused mind.
It really is a powerful film done with an excellent surreal style backed up by Connery’s performance.
Music / Audio Effects
The music is also spot on as it captures a mind on the edge full of tension perfectly complementing the visuals.
Acting / Characters
Sean Connery as you probably never seen him before, he starts out as a tough no nonsense detective but as we follow him the cracks begin to appear. Connery delivers an outstanding performance as he flips between two personalities.
Conclusion: The Offence (1973) Film Review
The Offence is a film I’d never seen before and is not shown very often on television. It deals with some truly awful subjects, murders and sexual offences involving children making very uncomfortable viewing.
That said this is a very powerful film along with an outstanding acting performance from Sean Connery.
It’s excellently directed by Sidney Lumet but I suspect this may not be everybody’s type of film.
If you’ve enjoyed my Ransom Blu-ray Review so far you may want to take a look at these films:
Conclusion: The Offence Blu-ray Review
The Blu-ray looks amazing the picture quality is perfect with no marks, lines or speckles of dirt anywhere to be found.
Outstanding job.
Extras
- Stage Director Christopher Morahan – Interview
- Art Director Chris Burke – Interview
- Costume Designer Evangeline Harrison – Interview
- Composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle – Interview
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- 36 Page Booklet
A great collection or interviews and a rather nice collectors booklet, what more could you ask for, excellent extras.
The Offence (1973) blu-ray is available now from Amazon.
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Popcorn Cinema Rating: The Offence (1973)
MOVIE RATING: WELL WORTH WATCHING
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECEOMMENDED
The Offence (1973) Film Trailers
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster with trailer…
Trailer not representative of the Blu-ray version. In fact this was the only film trailer I could find and you will note it has subtitles.
Summary: The Offence (1972) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: The Offence (1972)
Duration: 112 mins
Director(s): Sidney Lumet
Actor(s): Sean Connery, Trevor Howard, Peter Bowles, Ian Bannen, Vivien Merchant
Genre: Crime, Drama
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Rating
- Extras
Summary
A dark disturbing crime drama with a truly outstanding performance by Sean Connery.
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