If.... (Masters of Cinema) [Blu-ray] [1968]

Product Description

Synopsis: Legendary director Lindsay Anderson expanded on the social outrage and intense character focus of his debut This Sporting Life with this combustible tale of teenage insurrection. Winner of the 1969 Palme d Or at Cannes, If.... was a popular triumph and instantly recognised as a classic.

A caustic portrait of a traditional boys boarding school, where social hierarchy reigns supreme and power remains in the hands of distanced and ineffectual teachers and callously vicious prefects. But three junior pupils, led by Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell in the role that would catapult him to becoming one of Britain's most iconic actors), decide on a shocking course of action to redress the balance of privilege once and for all.

Packed to bursting with its director's customary passion and experimentation, If.... remains one of cinema's quintessential tales of rebellion, a radical snapshot of late 60s change, and one of the towering achievements of British film in any era. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present this masterpiece in a new Blu-ray edition.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Gorgeous 1080p transfer, approved by cinematographer Miroslav Ondricek and assistant editor Ian Rakoff
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Feature-length audio commentary with film critic and historian David Robinson and actor Malcolm McDowell
• New video interviews with producer Michael Medwin, writers David Sherwin and John Howlett, editor David Gladwell, production manager Gavrik Lasey, camera operator Brian Harris, and actors David Wood, Hugh Thomas, Geoffrey Chater, Philip Bagenal and Sean Bury
• Three short films by Director Lindsay Anderson: Three Installations, Thursday's Children, and Henry
• Two trailers for the film
• 56 PAGE booklet containing new writing on the film by David Cairns; a new interview with actor Brian Pettifer; a self-conducted interview with Lindsay Anderson; notes on the three short films; and rare archival imagery

From Amazon.co.uk

The Palme D’Or-winning British classic, If...’s long wait for a DVD release is finally over, and the end result does it proud. Boasting commentaries, interviews and a quality documentary too, it’s a true collectors’ piece for fans of the film.

And make no mistake about it, it’s the superb movie that’s the star here. If... is, for those new to it, set in a British public school, and from this setting it has plenty then to say on authority and society. Directed by the late, great Lindsay Anderson, the film centres on Mick Travis, magnetically portrayed by Malcolm McDowell.

Superbly marrying fantasy and more realistic elements, If... is packed with iconic, and often quite surreal moments, leading right up the to the famed and indelible ending that sticks long in your mind once the credits have rolled.

A strong, powerful influence for many who followed it, If... is powered by Malcolm McDowell’s astounding performance (which would earn him the part in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange). It’s arguable that he’s never been better than he is here, and he’s in good company, thanks to a top-quality supporting cast too.

Perhaps the greatest complement to If... though is that, decades after is initial release, it’s not only recognised as one of the finest British films ever made, but it’s regarded in many quarters as a classic of cinema full stop. And if you’ve not yet had the pleasure, this DVD release finally, belatedly, can open the film up to a whole new audience. Let’s hope it does. --Jon Foster --This text refers to the DVD edition.