Audience Rating: Universal, suitable for all Binding: DVD EAN: 5060034577089 Format: Box set Label: Optimum Home Entertainment Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: Optimum Home Entertainment Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2006-10-16 Running Time: 189 Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
Customer Rating: Summary: Wrong format and cuts! Comment: Two stars is for the very poor presentation of these films which I feel I must alert potential buyers to. Basically, although both films were originally made in widescreen (and have been shown on TV in such before now) they are presented here in scanned and cropped 4:3 versions. Why this is so in this day and age is beyond me. I guess they just put some old 4:3 prints on to disc rather than re sourcing them as it was cheaper?
Another major fault is that in 'The Punch and Judy Man' at least one scene is cut from the film; where Walter Pinner rams the flowers up the pigs nether regions. This is an important scene showing the characters frustrations with his life and when the Mayoress notices the pig in the shop later on it is not explained how the flowers got where they are.
On the positive side the commentary on 'The Rebel' is very good and it is great to see Hancock in colour. There is also some excellent dialogue in 'The Rebel' as you'd expect from Galton and Simpson.
Certainly without the commentary and the reasonable price I would have returned the films for a refund. Let's hope any future Blu-Ray release is in the correct format. Some more extras would be nice too, even if it's just the films trailers and photo galleries. Customer Rating: Summary: Four stars only because I've not seen 'The Punch and Judy Man....and it may not be so good.... Comment: Frustraited office clerk Antony Hancock gives it all up and moves to Paris to follow his dream of becoming an artist. Here he hobnobs with the local art fraturnity who mistakes his total artisic inability and nievety for artistic genius. Off this reputation his name becomes known in the big money art world....who turn up mistaking his flat mates (who returned to england leaving all his work to him) work for his. The plot thickens as he blags his way to the top, only to come down to earth when being found out....A very funny film that highlights the pretentious world of the artist and those who claim to know about it. Brilliant! Customer Rating: Summary: Hancock's one and a half hours Comment: The quote from the Observer on the front of the box says "Hancock is by far the most talented and original telly comedian" which is a slightly back-handed compliment to advertise this collection of his two feature films. He was definitely a genius on television but I'm not convinced either of these films completely works.
'The Rebel' from 1961 is by far the best, with it's sharp script by Galton and Simpson and an excellent supporting cast featuring George Sanders, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier and a very young Oliver Reed. The script is a comment on the art world and Bohemia that many will still find relevant today. Hancock plays a character similar to his self-deluded TV role in the shape of a clerk who dreams of being an artist and moves to Paris to realise his dream.
'The Punch and Judy Man' was written by Hancock and Phillip Oakes and the story is very slight - it is similar to Jacques Tati's "Monsieur Hulot's Holiday" in many ways but Hancock isn't able to hold the centre of the film like Tati can. It's all a bit run-of-the-mill and sadly Hancock can't rely on the Galton and Simpson script or the supporting cast to bale him out. If 'The Rebel' was a auspicious start that earned Hancock a BAFTA nomination for "Most promising newcomer to a leading film role" then 'The Punch and Judy Man' was a real step backward that probably signalled the start of a decline in his career.
Customer Rating: Summary: Both Hancock films at bargain price Comment: An excellent presentation. Picture quality is first class throughout and the 'special feature' commentary on 'The Rebel' from Ray Galton and Alan Simpson as they talk to Paul Merton is fascinating. For viewers wanting both of Hancock's films in one package, I would certainly recommend this one. Customer Rating: Summary: Hancock at his funniest (as usual) Comment: This is a worthy addition to anyone's Hancock collection. Two mostly-forgotten movies by one of Britain's greatest comedic geniuses. While much of film and TV comedy by others may age poorly anything by Hancock has lost none of its edge, being just as relevant as ever and putting it among a very small elite at the absolute top of British comedy.
Intending purchasers should note the cover incorrectly describes "The Rebel" as being "black and white" film but, thankfully, this is slightly incorrect as its actually in COLOUR, plus some infrequent minor blemishes, but still a good clean picture quality. Likewise, picture quality of "The Punch and Judy Man" is very good.
