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Scum
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray ALL - United Kingdom - Odeon Entertainment Review written by and copyright: James-Masaki Ryan (20th July 2016). |
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The Film
 “Scum” (1979) Carlin (played by Ray Winstone) newly arrives at a borstal - a reform school for juvenile delinquents. In essence it is a prison where the boys are under constant surveillance in strict and torturous conditions by the adult staff. Carlin is headstrong and wants to be left alone and serve his time without trouble. But that is not to be the case as he learns that the “Daddy” of the institution’s wing is Pongo Banks (played by John Blundell) and he along with Richards (played by Phil Daniels) give Carlin a beatdown to show who is boss. Some of the other new kids like Angel (played by Alrick Riley), who is black suffers from racial attacks from some of the white kids. Davis (played by Julian Firth) being a scrawny fellow is constantly fearing bullying. Though not all the juveniles are considered dangerous or violent. Archer (played by Mick Ford) is a vegetarian, an atheist, and an individual freethinker. He respects authority by smiling and feeling positive, but he does antagonize and question the adults’ behavior and tactics without undermining their positions. Carlin respects ones like Archer, but knows the only way to make it through the sentence is to show who is the real boss - through violent methods. Roy Minton’s script for “Scum” was approved by the BBC with frequent collaborator Alan Clarke directing, and was originally shot, produced, and finished in 1977 for television broadcast. Unfortunately, the BBC found the teen-centered borstal drama unflinchingly disturbing - too much for broadcast even with cuts applied. Producer Margaret Matheson organized several illegal screenings to make the case known about the BBC banning, but as the broadcaster’s word was final, there was nothing else to be done to push for a broadcast. There were talks of producers buying the rights of the television production for theatrical screenings instead, but the BBC didn’t budge. Another option came from remaking the production entirely. With the rights of the script reverting back to Minton, financing was secured, and most of the original cast and crew returned for the theatrical remake two years later in 1979. So how different is the 1979 production from the 1977 version? Alan Clarke was on board as director again, Ray Winstone was back as Carlin, as well as Phil Daniels and John Blundell reprising their roles. Some of the roles were recast due to Clarke’s decision and/or scheduling conflicts, and that meant the character of Archer would now be played by Mick Ford rather than David Threlfall, the character of Toyne would be played by Herbert Norville rather than Trevor Butler. As for the production not a single frame of old footage was used in the 1979 production. The original production was shot on 16mm film in the fullframe 1.33:1 ratio while the 1979 production was shot on 35mm film in the theatrical 1.66:1 ratio, so colors, detail, and so framing looked very different. Storywise they are basically the same, but there are differences in the script, such as the theatrical version having more swear words thrown in. The set itself was also different, using a different building, though in both productions these were not standing sets but rather an actual location. Seasonal changes are shown in the 1979 version, with white snow in some scenes and green grass in another, while the TV production was never clear on the passage of time. The theatrical version also has an additional suicide subplot while in the original version it was essentially removed and concentrated on the singular suicide. The original version had its share of blood and violence as well as a very disturbing rape scene. The theatrical 1979 version doesn’t hold back and they are fully there, though in certain scenes are much more visceral. The newly produced version of “Scum” was a completely different beast from the original version - so much so that Roy Minton and Alan Clarke had a falling out due to creative differences. Although they had worked together on multiple projects in the past with Clarke respecting Minton’s words, there was a lot changed in the revised script of “Scum” - enough for Minton to lose trust with Clarke. They were to never work together again. Clarke would later admit to Minton that the finished film “fucked up” Minton’s original story, but what’s done was done - a feature film that is equally similar to and equally apart from the 1977 version. But is the updated version “better” or ”fucked up”? From a technical standpoint, better. The 35mm shot film is artistically superior in direction with Clarke using long takes, tracking shots, closeups, and geometrically framed compositions. The actors who reprise their roles are more confident and stronger. But at the same time there were some points that the 1977 television version had “better” due to its smaller scale. The newbie actors have a sense of nervousness and that add to the characterizations. The homosexual element that was pushing the boundary was for some reason deleted from the remake. The language with swearing in the theatrical version seems a bit more forced rather than the Minton penned dialogue of the 1977 version. The camerawork was not as fluid giving a rawer documentary sense to the finished work. Preferences here and there, both works are equally impressive. The new version of “Scum” was a hit with audiences but was extremely controversial. The disturbing content was critical of the borstal system, the treatment of youth, racism, as well as the film having extreme violence, male on male rape - and all involving teens. There were a list of critics who defended the film for its artistic merits and its strong sense of social realism and a cryout for changes. The controversy did lead to change, as the 1982 Criminal Justice Act was passed in the UK and abolished the borstal system and introduced youth custody centers for rehabilitation. The following year in 1983 “Scum” was first broadcast on TV by Channel 4. The film caused controversy all over again after anti-art super religious censorship queen Mary Whitehouse took to the picket stands. Long story short, her case was overturned. With years gone by and borstals being a footnote in recent history, “Scum” continues to turn heads and cause discussion. Note this is a region ALL Blu-ray which can be played back on all Blu-ray players worldwide
Video
Odeon (now renamed as Screenbound) presents the film in 1080p in the original theatrical ratio of 1.66:1 in the AVC MPEG-4 codec. Restored at Pinewood Studios from the original materials held at the BFI in 2012, the 35mm original negative was transferred in 2K. Colors are accurately well produced but note this is not the most colorful film, filled with bland blues and greys, though the red of blood certainly stands out in the more violent scenes. Grain is visible but very minimal. There are extremely minor moments of damage visible which only a keen eye would catch. The image is always clear and in focus. Overall a very pleasing transfer and restoration though it is not exactly one to show off the home theater with. This is the full theatrical version of the film with additional credits of the restoration - a total runtime of (96:50).
Audio
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English LPCM 2.0 dual mono The original mono track is in LPCM while a remixed 5.1 track is available in DTS-HD Master Audio. The original mono track sounds very clear with no instances of errors, pops, cracks, or hissing. Dialogue is sometimes echoey as the film was not shot on a soundstage and the echoes of the bostal halls remain in the production. There were occasional instances of ADR for replacements, but they are mixed in very well that it is unnoticeable which lines are original and which lines were later dubbed. Note that on the menu and rear cover note that it is a 2.0 stereo track, but I could not hear any stereo separation. The 5.1 remix is fine in terms of dialogue, but the surround is at most times distracting and unnatural. This is an entirely dialogue driven film with no instances of music used for scoring effects. The surrounds are used for sound effects and minor instances of dialogue and the track does not fit as well as it should. Stick with the mono track on this one. There are no subtitles offered for the film. Unfortunate since there are a few instances of dialogue that are a little difficult to catch due to sound quality and the slang used.
Extras
Odeon/Screenbound gathers many extras that were previously on DVD editions of “Scum”, including the commentary and some interviews, but also add a very informative 2-part ITV TV documentary. Note that the video extras are all in PAL format, which cannot be played back on players that cannot handle the PAL signal. Audio commentary by actor Ray Winstone and critic Nigel Floyd A lot of information is covered in this commentary originally recorded for the DVD release. Floyd mostly moderates and asks questions to Winstone as he remembers the casting, his thoughts on the original versus the remake, and also how he prepared for the part. The commentary is very echoey like they were in an actual bortsal recording, so it sometimes hard to catch what is being said. in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 with no subtitles "Skin - Borstal" ITV documentary about Borstal in the early 1980's - Part 1 (30:28) Hosted by broadcaster and later politician Trevor Phillips, this documentary is about the bostal system which aired on television in the early 1980s. There are interviews with the boys incarcerated, with professors, and wardens, as well as footage from inside the borstals. Certainly is just another name for “jail”. in 576i PAL, in 1.33:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles "Skin - Borstal" ITV documentary about Borstal in the early 1980's - Part 2 (21:59) Trevor Phillips returns in the second part which was broadcast the following week. This time the topic is about “Why” - Why a high number of black youths are incarcerated and why youth turn to crime. in 576i PAL, in 1.33:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles Archive interview with Mary Whitehouse about the TV broadcast of Scum (1:21) After the Channel 4 broadcast of the film in 1983 reached 2 million viewers, 3 people complained about it. That was enough to persuade censorship crusader Mary Whitehouse to lead a campaign against it. This news broadcast was after she lost the case and had to pay 30,000 pounds in legal fees. Oh, boo hoo! Art = 1, Censorship = 0. in 576i PAL, in 1.33:1 and windowboxed 1.66:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles Interview with producer Clive Parsons & Davina Belling (8:09) Interviewed together, Parsons and Belling talk about first hearing about the initial ban of the 1977 version, the financing of the film version, all the way to the reactions to the finished film. Interesting is that they tried to appeal the original X certificate given by the BBFC, which would restrict young people from watching - even though the youth were the intended audience for the film. in 576i PAL, in 1.78:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles Interview with executive producer Don Boyd (11:57) Boyd talks about the difficulties faced with the production, especially from Clarke having difficulties with the editing process, the surprising reactions to the first screening, and the trouble with the marketing of the film to different countries. in 576i PAL, in 1.78:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles Interview with writer Roy Minton (18:53) Minton talks about the initial idea of making a trilogy of films with Clarke starting with “Scum”, but with their friendship having a falling out, that was not to be completed. He talks in depth about the research into borstals, the disappointment that the initial version which followed his script closely was discarded and unseen for years, and how the changes made by Clarke for the 1979 caused the rift in their relationship. Minton also talks about his disenchantment with the scriptwriting business as well as his novel writing career in the years following. An absolutely fascinating chat. in 576i PAL, in 1.78:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles "Cast Memories" featurette (16:41) This featurette collects interviews with supporting cast members:- Phil Daniels who played in both versions, David Threlfall who played Archer in the 1977 version, Mick Ford who played Archer in the 1979 version, and Julian Firth who played Davis in the 1979 version. From the casting, the differences, and the riot scene especially being scary to the actors are discussed. in 576i PAL, in 1.78:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles U Rated Trailer (1:02) This trailer only features stills and newspaper quotes as the narrator says scenes from the film are too shocking to show. in 576i PAL, in 1.66:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 with no subtitles X Rated Trailer (2:20) This trailer shows actual scenes from the film with character dialogue narrating the picture. Strangely it has background music to add to the tension, even though the finished film has no BGM at all. in 576i PAL, in 1.78:1, in English Dolby 2.0 with no subtitles Of course this biggest issue with this Blu-ray is that the 1977 original is NOT included for comparison. The US Blue Underground DVD and the UK Prism Direct DVD editions included both versions together. For those interested in a comparison, those releases are available on DVD while on Blu-ray the 1977 edition is part of the 13-disc “Dissent and Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC” set.
Overall
Odeon/Screenbound’s release of “Scum” is a great presentation of the cult classic 1979 theatrical version, visually and aurally bounding ahead of the previous DVD incarnations with a 2K transfer. It might be hard to call it the “Daddy” as it excludes the original version (which was finally released for broadcast after director Clarke’s death). The extras are plentiful and compliment the feature very nicely. Very recommended.
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