The Party's Over (Blu-ray + DVD)[Region Free]

The BFI have done another brilliant piece of work - this time with The Party's Over. The 'dual format', together with an excellent booklet, certainly give you every chance to compare versions and consider the absurdities of censorship (abeit at a distance of nearly 50 years. With The Party's Over, the censors seemed to be pandering to the Establishment in a predictable but particularly half-baked way. I wouldn't agree with Clive Saunders' review that the implications (and they are only implications - nothing is clearly seen - hence the 12 certificate) of the film are ever "somewhat nauseating". Nor would I say that it wasn't a film for the "faint-hearted", but I suppose it all depends on what you are used to. While not a fan of violence and gore, I am enthusiastic about many of the Italian Giallos of the late 60's and 70's, some of which are genuinely nauseating!
Oliver Reed plays a similar character to his Moise of The Party's Over, in two other great films of this period, both currently available on DVD: Michael Winner's (!!) The System, and Joseph Losey's, The Damned (a.k.a These Are The Damned). His performance in all three is at times mannered and theatrical...but absolutely fascinatingly so. It's also sincere and multi-layered.
The Party's Over does take a while to get going, at first we thought it might just be another silly, middle-class dropouts, mindlessly partying, waste of time; but it grew geometrically better as it went on, even developing an echo of the Rashomon, alternate viewpoints, structure. And I think that to say as Clive Saunders does (sorry Clive, but without reading your review I wouldn't have got around to writing one at all!) that the people show no compassion or emotion towards each other, misses the point. They are feigning not to care and when their feelings catch up with them, its then that they grow up...the party's over. This is the only implication that the film could be projecting that I would disagree with: that this feigning, this playing of roles, is a stage that one must grow out of and entirely reject. Many kinds of lifestyle can be equally valid, equally 'grown up'. Once the pose of this particular 'Party' is exposed, some of those 'Partying' may find a more conventional path, while others may find the truth beyond the pose.
There are only a few slight problems with the DVD (aside from the very sticky label sealing shut the case noted by some internet reviews - finally removable with white spirit...but best to slide the insert out first in case the white spirit gets under the case cover) which I'm sure were inavoidable: the audio volume fluctuations and some original picture damage. But with two interesting short films as well (Emma was especially entrancing), The Party's Over is worth every penny. The supporting players: Louise Sorel (believably enigmatic and distant - lending real weight to her fall) Ann Lynn and Clifford David, Catherine Woodville (borrowing Steed's bowler and umbrella?!!) Eddie Albert (bullying and bereft), even wonderful Geoff Randall (Mike Pratt) presumably just posing as a Cuban!? are all enjoyable. The real locations are great too - the midnight 'funeral' scene notably evocative. Watch it as soon as you can!

Guy Hamilton's The Party's Over is a stark look at the 'other' side of life in the 60s, where confirmity and convention have no place. Whilst the storyline that revolves around the actions of a group of beatniks and, in particular their leader, is undoubtedly interesting and keeps the viewer intrigued throughout, the subject matter of sex, death and necrophilia is at times somewhat nauseating. The striking thing about this film is the complete lack of compassion or emotion shown by the cast towards eachother and the situation they find themselves in and this results in the film having a somewhat depressing undertone. However, it is always a pleasure and most interesting to see a young Oliver Reed, and an even younger Louise Sorel makes a notable appearance with a good supporting cast of solid British character actors. Not surprising that it has fallen foul of the censors for so long, but as it was an important film in the development of British cinema in the 60s it is good to see it finally released. Not for the faint-hearted though!

I must admit if I'd been a teenager in the 60s it would have been the beatniks for me - frugging, puffing, Watneys pale ale, expressos, constant parties - it looks great. Trouble is there's always the hangover, the comedown, reality seeping in. This film captures the ups and downs brilliantly. We see this now deceased world through the eyes of a bemused American looking for his fiance, who has fallen in with a ner-do-well gang (led by the brilliant Oliver Reed). As the title suggests things don't turn out well, but for the viewer its compulsive all the way, from the John Barry soundtrack to the seedy milieu to the unusally subtle plot twists. I really enjoyed this one, but its not the highlight of the package, that would be the short 'Emma' which is a dazzling blast of colour amidst the monochrome sleaze of the other two features. Only 12 minutes long, but each one of them perfect, this allegorical snapshot of 2 kids playing in Highgate Cemetary is damn near perfect and as for the picture quality - incredible. The other extra 'The Party' is a disposible but fun enough look at a typical house party.
Just one thing stops this being 5 stars, the fact that Guy Hamilton, the director wanted his name removed from this cut. Why? It would have been nice to hear what it is he objected to and what his actual vision for the film was (he is nearly 90 now, so perhaps this was impossible, but it would be nice to have more info)
To sum up, a great buy and remember, don't skip the supporting features.