The Bitch Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Bitch" delivers a notable improvement over "The Stud," showcasing a robust and consistently strong AVC encoded image with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. This presentation adheres to the original glamour photography style, resulting in a subtly soft image that enhances luxurious costuming and casino interiors with discernible texture and depth. While facial details remain agreeable, distances are well-preserved, allowing for an engaging viewing experience in party sequences. Colors, though slightly aged, retain vibrancy, particularly in disco settings, and skintones appear natural. However, whites occasionally exhibit blooming, and the general delineation is adequate but not standout. The source material is suitably maintained, free from significant damage.

Additionally, the 1080p resolution with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio maintains the film’s characteristic soft-focus aesthetic while preserving grain and detail integrity. Skin tones remain consistent throughout, while black levels occasionally struggle in low-light scenes. The colors are bright and vibrant, albeit sometimes washed out due to the soft lens. Despite some minor noise in the image, it does not detract from the overall viewing experience. Overall, "The Bitch" on Blu-ray likely appears as visually compelling now as it did during its original 1979 release.

The 2.0 DTS-HD sound mix for "The Bitch" Blu Ray offers a noteworthy improvement over its predecessor, "The Stud." Dialogue clarity is markedly enhanced, providing a seamless listening experience where nightclub conversations and intimate bedroom dialogue are discernible without strain. Some minor issues such as fuzzy highs persist, but overall the quality is acceptable. Musical selections, characterized by their thumping and grinding nature, are effectively delivered with satisfactory instrumental fidelity, while scoring cues complement the narrative without overshadowing the dialogue.

While the atmospherics are relatively mild, the soundtrack adeptly captures the ambiance of casino and club settings, making these scenes comprehensible and engaging. The Dolby Digital 2.0 track also proves competent in handling both dialogue and disco tracks, though it does not offer the same richness as the DTS-HD mix. Despite occasional incomplete subtitles, the audio quality on this Blu Ray edition remains serviceable, fulfilling expectations for a vintage film's re-release.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Bitch" offer a well-rounded exploration into the film, featuring insightful commentary and historical reflections. The audio commentary by film historians David Del Valle and Nick Redman not only provides valuable context but also manages to entertain with its engaging narrative style. The package includes an in-depth interview with director Gerry O'Hara, who adeptly recounts his entrée into the film industry and his experiences working with Joan and Jackie Collins. Additionally, the retrospective discussion sheds light on the various casting challenges and invaluable learning moments throughout his career. A couple of theatrical trailers complement the interviews, offering a glimpse into the original promotional material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Film historians David Del Valle and Nick Redman provide insightful and entertaining commentary.
• Interview with Director Gerry O’Hara: An 18-minute retrospective on his entry into the industry and collaborations.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material for "The Bitch".
• The Stud Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.

Adapted from Jackie Collins's best-selling, yet heavily critiqued book, "The Bitch" furthers the narrative established in 1978's "The Stud." The sequel fully embraces the persona of Joan Collins' character, Fontaine Khaled, a fierce nightclub owner now navigating the trials of post-marital freedom. Director Gerry O’Hara presents a steely protagonist who confronts financial struggles while indulging in excessive nightlife and bold romantic escapades. The plot revolves around Fontaine's tumultuous relationship with Nico, a hustler embroiled with the mafia. As they maneuver through criminal entanglements, Fontaine's unyielding temperament and Nico's persistent scheming provide an undercurrent of drama, albeit a somewhat thin one.

The film opens with an air of intimacy—soft focus lenses and a shower scene set the tone for the romantic exploits to follow. Scenes of Fontaine's lavish lifestyle offer a striking contrast to her financially troubled nightclub. Disco beats and glam fashion dominate the aesthetic, capturing the late '70s cultural milieu. Significant plot points include Nico exploiting Fontaine to smuggle a valuable diamond for the mob. Yet, it's Fontaine's relentless bravado, often exhibited via her interactions with young men and her flamboyant presence in London's disco scene, that forms the crux of the film's appeal. While Joan Collins is riveting in her role, the narrative often feels superficial, relying heavily on visual pizzazz and period-specific charm.

Technically, "The Bitch" is sleek but restrained. Disco-era elements permeate every frame, from mirrored interiors to a soundtrack brimming with beats. O’Hara’s direction leans towards minimalistic glamour, occasionally marred by heavy-handed soft focus techniques during sex scenes. Despite the constrained budget and hurried production timeline, the film maintains a polished veneer, primarily through its blend of 70’s perfume commercial visuals and cheeky British humor. Ultimately, "The Bitch" is an odd yet amusing sexploitation piece that revels in its trashy disco allure while encapsulating the charisma of its lead actress.

One doesn't watch movies like The Stud and The Bitch for dramatic content. They're The Joan Collins Show by way of Jackie's mischievous writing, gifting her sibling the opportunity to portray a mighty woman incapable of apology. Joan's up for the challenge, and while the pictures lack grit, they manage to create a compelling snapshot of the disco era, swimming in super hits of the 1970s and style, but also reworking gender authority, riding the sexual revolution wave to the shores of the 1980s with a no-nonsense female character that owns the world she's created for herself. Jackie has a special way of selling feminine power, and Joan makes for an imposing figure of equality.

I almost loved The Bitch. Joan’s smug maneater Fontaine is a blast to watch. Not everyone can utter the line “Have you ever played backgammon in bed?” like her. Unfortunately, the film suffers trying to connect the cast of characters to the thin plotting. The stakes are never high enough to pull the viewer into the story even with predictable devices in rotation. Thankfully, The Bitch is a sexy disco flick that shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray provides a respectable A/V presentation with the commentary track being the standout special feature. Recommended for British sexploitation fans and Joan Collins devotees.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of “The Bitch” reverently presents an icon of British sexploitation cinema, headlined by Joan Collins's audacious performance. While the narrative lacks depth and coherence, hindered by loosely connected characters and tepid stakes, it compensates with a stylish portrayal of empowered femininity against a vibrant disco backdrop. The film’s authentic period-specific soundtrack and fashionable visuals vividly encapsulate the hedonistic spirit of the 1970s, providing an enjoyable, if superficial, viewing experience.

Technically, the Blu-ray transfer impresses with its crisp image quality and clear remastering of audio tracks, ensuring that every disco beat and dialogue snippet resonates effectively. The standout feature of this release is undoubtedly the insightful commentary track, which enriches the viewing experience by offering valuable context and analysis. This added layer of content makes it a worthwhile purchase for aficionados of Collins's work, and those fascinated by the era's exploitation genre.

Conclusively, one doesn't delve into “The Bitch” expecting profound drama or intricate plotlines. Instead, it is an entertaining escapade into Joan Collins's unapologetically powerful portrayal of a commanding woman. Accompanied by Jackie Collins's signature bold writing, the film stands as a testament to female autonomy during a transformative period in cultural history. It’s best enjoyed as a spirited snapshot of disco excess and a seminal piece for fans of Joan Collins and vintage British cinema alike.