Peeping Tom 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Criterion's release of "Peeping Tom" on 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack showcases StudioCanal’s meticulous 4K restoration of the film, derived from a high-resolution 6K scan of the original 35mm Eastmancolor negative. Presented in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio, the 4K disc boasts HDR10 and Dolby Vision, enhancing the dynamic range and creating a visual experience that is both vibrant and true to its cinematic origins. The transfer maintains excellent clarity and detail, with minimal instances of optical softness, achieving a consistent bitrate between 80 and 90 Mbps. The HDR grading enriches black levels and elevates the saturation nuances, whether depicting the lit cityscapes of Soho or the shadowy interiors of the protagonist’s flat.

The Blu-ray disc, while presenting the film in SDR, still manages to impress with its high-definition presentation of the 4K restoration. Although the expanded color palette of the native 4K is more vibrant, the 1080p version holds its own remarkably well in terms of clarity and detail. The restoration preserves the original film grain and fine details faithfully, making it a considerable upgrade over previous releases. Both presentations maintain surface cleanliness and image stability, ensuring an immaculate experience. Despite the inherent differences between SDR and HDR, the Blu-ray remains an excellent option with its effective use of light and shadow, closely matching the quality of its high-end counterpart.

Overall, Criterion’s "Peeping Tom" 4K UHD release offers a pristine visual experience, characterized by striking contrast, deepened black levels, and a lush expanded color palette that benefits significantly from Dolby Vision and HDR grades. The exceptional restoration work grants the film a renewed vibrancy and depth, presenting it in a manner that both honors its original cinematography and elevates it to contemporary standards.

The audio presentation for the 4K UHD Blu Ray release of "Peeping Tom" features an English LPCM 1.0 mono track with optional English SDH subtitles. The choice of a lossless track is commendable, delivering exceptionally clear, sharp, and stable dialogue. The audio presentation benefits from robust dynamic contrasts. While some subtle age-related anomalies in the upper register are present, there are no significant encoding issues to detract from the overall experience.

Remastered from the 35 mm optical track negative and the 35 mm track positive print provided by the BFI National Archive, this PCM track might carry a mild hiss, yet remains notably clean. The dialogue exchanges stand out as clear and discernible, with minor aspects like occasional crackling, popping, and hissing. Despite these minor imperfections, Brian Easdale’s moody piano score and other sound effects are delivered with appropriate fidelity and strength. This release surpasses previous Criterion DVD offerings, making it the definitive audio experience for "Peeping Tom" on home video.

Overall, while maintaining the narrow scope inherent in a monaural track, this audio presentation exhibits a level of fidelity and dynamic range that enhances both dialogue clarity and the immersive quality of the film's soundscape. The balance between dialogue, sound mix, and musical score sets a new benchmark for the film’s home video sound presentation.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Peeping Tom" features a robust selection of extras that provide in-depth insights into the film's production, themes, and restoration process. Both audio commentaries—by Ian Christie (2007) and Laura Mulvey (1994)—are highly informative. Christie delves into the production's intricate history and Powell's career, while Mulvey focuses on the film’s visual and thematic elements. The disc also includes a 2007 introduction by Martin Scorsese and an interview with Thelma Schoonmaker, in which they discuss the controversial reaction to the film and its eventual reappraisal. Other standout extras include "The Eye of Beholder" featurette, the "A Very British Psycho" documentary, and a rich overview of the 4K restoration process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary One: Ian Christie deconstructs the film's impact on Powell's career.
• Commentary Two: Laura Mulvey discusses the film’s visuals and themes.
• Introduction by Martin Scorsese: Archival introduction from 2007.
• Interview with Thelma Schoonmaker: Reflects on Powell’s legacy.
• The Eye of Beholder: Featurette on the film's history and impact.
• A Very British Psycho: Documentary about screenwriter Leo Marks.
• Restoring Peeping Tom: Insights into the 4K restoration.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet with an essay by Megan Abbott.

Michael Powell's "Peeping Tom" (1960) emerges as a groundbreaking and profoundly unsettling work that garners new life with its 4K UHD Blu-ray release by Criterion. The film centers on Mark Lewis (Karlheinz Böhm), a focus puller at a British film studio and a part-time photographer for a Soho porno shop. Mark’s real obsession, however, lies in his exploration of fear; he captures the terror on his victims' faces as he murders them using a camera tripoded with a concealed blade. The plot thickens when Mark forms a relationship with Helen Stephens (Anna Massey), drawing her unwittingly into his macabre world. Themes of voyeurism, child abuse, and scopophilic fetishism lend this film an intricate psychological complexity, deftly handled by Powell's direction and Otto Heller's lurid Eastmancolor cinematography.

The initial reception of "Peeping Tom" was marred by intense controversy, leading to an overwhelmingly hostile critical response upon its 1960 release. Notably, Derek Hill of the Tribune suggested the film be "flush[ed] down the nearest sewer," a sentiment that effectively ended Powell's career in the UK. Despite this, modern reappraisals highlight the film's masterful narrative structure and its chilling depiction of violence and scopophilic thrills, aided by Brian Easdale's haunting piano score. Powell's portrayal of societal dualities—respectable exteriors hiding darker obsessions—resonated deeply, contributing to its complex reception.

The performances are exceptional, particularly Böhm’s portrayal of Mark, which balances menace with a degree of sympathy. Anna Massey delivers a notable debut as Helen, a character who humanizes and destabilizes Mark. Moira Shearer at once enchants and haunts as an ill-fated stand-in, while Maxine Audley's performance as Helen's blind mother subtly heightens the film’s tension. The vivid restoration accentuates the garish colors and disturbingly beautiful visuals that Powell employed to unsettle audiences. "Peeping Tom" has rightfully earned renewed esteem as a masterful psychological thriller pivotal to the evolution of the slasher genre.

Michael Powell's "Peeping Tom" receives a magnificent revival with this stunning new 4K UHD Blu-ray release. This notorious film, which historically led to Powell's career decline in the UK, has reemerged thanks to a meticulous restoration that has elevated its visual and audio quality to unprecedented heights. The 4K presentation brings a vibrancy and clarity that reveal intricate details and depth previously unseen, making it a thrilling watch for both new viewers and long-time admirers of this complex horror classic.

Despite its controversial reception upon initial release, with swift withdrawals from British cinemas and scant attention in the US, "Peeping Tom" stands as a seminal piece in British cinema and the horror genre. The HDR transfer significantly enhances the visual storytelling, while the accompanying special features provide a deeper exploration into the film's creation and legacy. Although not all features from the previous Criterion DVD could be included, this edition remains an essential upgrade for collectors and cinephiles.

In conclusion, the 4K UHD Blu-ray restoration of "Peeping Tom" is an impeccable home video edition. The quality of the transfer, coupled with rich bonus content, makes it highly recommended for anyone interested in film history or the horror genre. Whether you are revisiting Powell’s work or discovering it for the first time, this release ensures an unparalleled viewing experience. Stunning is a short but perfect description of this edition. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.