BRIEF ENCOUNTER.

(1945 - d. David Lean).

I looked forward to the release of this film with great anticipation. Being a admirer of David Lean's work, and having several of his other films in my collection, I'd long awaited for this to appear complete; but what would the print and sound be like?

I remember several years ago seeing a reel of the edited Walton version and hadn't been very impressed. The copy I saw suffered from wow and flutter which marred the dramatic use of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto.

This recently released Movieland International version, complete in every detail. right down to the distributors logo, is superior (in my mind) in all departments to the earlier Walton release: the extract I featured at the 13th BFCC was received with spontaneous applause. It is a fitting tribute to the late Trevor Howard in his first featured role.

Based on Noel Coward's one-act play Still Life, Brief Encounter is a sensitive depiction of middle-class life and the frustrations and humiliations of extra-marital meetings - beautifully portrayed by Trevor Howard (Dr. Alec Harvey) and Celia Johnson (Laura Jesson). who despite being rather plain and unglamorous demand, and indeed capture, your sympathy and affection.

The film wasn't particularly successful on its release in 1945 - Lean is said to have put this down to the lack of 'star' names, but it was probably due to audiences simply wanting (after several years of wartime deprivation) some excitement and glamour up there on the screen. Since then of course it is considered to be, justly a British classic.

David Lean sets the mood Immediately the titles appear. The gloomy railway setting of much of the film is a fitting backdrop to the meetings and the intertwining of three incidental (but important) characters: the overbearing Messiter (Beverly Gregg) who inadvertently interrupts the lovers last meeting, the station guard (Stanley Holloway) continually chatting up the buffet waitress (Joyce Carey who affects an upper-class accent); their sexual banter contrasting sharply with the repressed emotions of Alec and Laura.

The print is sharp with good gradation, though our review copy did not have quite perfect scene-to-scene grading, with a few shots being slightly light and there was a slight change of 'tint' between reels; the result of being on colour stock and a problem not confined to this particular release!

Apart from that it is excellent, retaining much of the atmospheric lighting and photographic subtleties of the original. The review print sound was good and superior to the sound on the old Walton edition. A most worthy release and one that Movieland can be proud of.

One of the most notable of British films and one that comes highly recommended.

My only comment on the original production is the thoughtless designer who lumbered Cella Johnson forever with those ridiculous hats!

Distributed by: Movieland International
Format: Super 8mm.
Supplied on: 5 reels (400ft). 
Approximate Running Time: 86 minutes.
Black & White Sound.
Reviewer: Keith Wilton.
Reviewers rating: Print A Sound A

The above review was printed in Super Eight Film Review Reproduced by the kind permission of Derek Simmonds.

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