That the movie continues to provide controversy after all these years may be the best compliment in its behalf.
Nevertheless, to assuage the fears of those who may be squeamish about the story's subject matter, let me assure you there is no blood, no sex, no profanity, and only a single, fleeting glimpse of nudity in the entire motion picture. Everything is suggested, almost never shown, which may be the film's final irony, as the imagination can be far more potent than any screen graphics.
So, how does one assess the film today? Criterion provide an accompanying fifty-minute documentary called "A Very British Psycho," which attempts to show that "Peeping Tom" should now be considered a "masterpiece." Even some of the reviewers who panned the film at its opening are interviewed as saying they have since changed their mind about it and admit their initial mistake. But is the film really a masterpiece? I think such a tribute may be stretching the point. Innovative, yes. Intriguing, surely. Insightful, perhaps. But it is also obvious, overwrought, slow, and on occasion tedious. The acting can seem forced and unduly stylized; the action is theatrical and stagy, especially the ending; and the music is often melodramatic, the solo piano reminding one of nothing less than a silent potboiler.
Be that as it may, I also realize that these very same elements can easily be interpreted as vital components in the history of film, which in its way is what "Peeping Tom" is really all about. That the movie continues to provide controversy after all these years may be the best compliment in its behalf.
Video:
The film has been nicely restored by Criterion, as we would expect from an organization that is as exacting about its transfers as any company in the business. A measurement of the film's aspect ratio reveals it to be exactly what Criterion claim, 1.66:1. This is among the few times in the hundreds of films I've reviewed on DVD that a studio has precisely indicated their product's actual dimensions. In terms of picture quality, it is probably as good as the print from which it was taken. Its color is reasonably clean, though not always entirely natural in flesh tones or overall delineation. It looks like what most of us of a certain age remember seeing in a Technicolor movie of the late fifties or early sixties.
Audio:
The sound, which, of course, is monaural, is also good, never very dynamic or wide ranging but never needing to be. It is fairly soft, yet realistic, with background noise almost nonexistent.
Extras:
In addition to the film, there is the aforementioned documentary; plus a full-feature audio commentary (the Criterion folks call these things "audio essays") by film theorist Laura Mulvey, who also provides the informational booklet notes; a stills gallery of behind-the-scenes production photos; the original theatrical trailer; chapter selections; and English subtitles for the hearing impaired. As always, Criterion provide a well-stocked package of extras.
Parting Thoughts:
"Peeping Tom" will not be everyone's cup of British tea. It is not up to the level of a "Psycho" in overall subtlety, psychological drama, impact, or shock. However, it is well worth a look as a multifaceted character study. Like the nature of cinema itself, there is a lot more going on in the film than always meets the eye.
So, how does one assess the film today? Criterion provide an accompanying fifty-minute documentary called "A Very British Psycho," which attempts to show that "Peeping Tom" should now be considered a "masterpiece." Even some of the reviewers who panned the film at its opening are interviewed as saying they have since changed their mind about it and admit their initial mistake. But is the film really a masterpiece? I think such a tribute may be stretching the point. Innovative, yes. Intriguing, surely. Insightful, perhaps. But it is also obvious, overwrought, slow, and on occasion tedious. The acting can seem forced and unduly stylized; the action is theatrical and stagy, especially the ending; and the music is often melodramatic, the solo piano reminding one of nothing less than a silent potboiler.
Be that as it may, I also realize that these very same elements can easily be interpreted as vital components in the history of film, which in its way is what "Peeping Tom" is really all about. That the movie continues to provide controversy after all these years may be the best compliment in its behalf.
Video:
The film has been nicely restored by Criterion, as we would expect from an organization that is as exacting about its transfers as any company in the business. A measurement of the film's aspect ratio reveals it to be exactly what Criterion claim, 1.66:1. This is among the few times in the hundreds of films I've reviewed on DVD that a studio has precisely indicated their product's actual dimensions. In terms of picture quality, it is probably as good as the print from which it was taken. Its color is reasonably clean, though not always entirely natural in flesh tones or overall delineation. It looks like what most of us of a certain age remember seeing in a Technicolor movie of the late fifties or early sixties.
Audio:
The sound, which, of course, is monaural, is also good, never very dynamic or wide ranging but never needing to be. It is fairly soft, yet realistic, with background noise almost nonexistent.
Extras:
In addition to the film, there is the aforementioned documentary; plus a full-feature audio commentary (the Criterion folks call these things "audio essays") by film theorist Laura Mulvey, who also provides the informational booklet notes; a stills gallery of behind-the-scenes production photos; the original theatrical trailer; chapter selections; and English subtitles for the hearing impaired. As always, Criterion provide a well-stocked package of extras.
Parting Thoughts:
"Peeping Tom" will not be everyone's cup of British tea. It is not up to the level of a "Psycho" in overall subtlety, psychological drama, impact, or shock. However, it is well worth a look as a multifaceted character study. Like the nature of cinema itself, there is a lot more going on in the film than always meets the eye.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]3238[/release]