Smashing Time Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Smashing Time" benefits significantly from a new HD master derived from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. The AVC encoded image, framed in a 1.67:1 aspect ratio, immediately impresses with vibrant hues vividly showcased in the cartoon opening credits. This vividness is sustained throughout, emphasizing the film's exaggerated costuming and period-specific decoration, which brings out the boldness of its Swinging London setting, saturated with myriad advertisements and fashion elements. The clarity allows for detailed examination of facial features and fibrous textures in clothing, enhancing the sense of stepping into a time capsule. The filmic grain is consistently natural, and the source material appears to be in commendable condition, with only minor instances of visible hairs and light speckling.

Additionally, the transfer adeptly captures Manny Wynn’s on-location cinematography, offering a robust grain structure that contributes to a naturally cinematic aesthetic. Colors are strong and stable, maintaining even skin tones and deep, inky blacks throughout the film. Fine details are rendered with precision, ensuring minimal occurrences of scratches, speckling, tears, dirt, or dust. These technical merits collectively ensure that "Smashing Time" is not only represented in its most vibrant visual form but also maintains the integrity and feel of the original film elements, likely making it the best home video version available to date.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Smashing Time" offers a complex auditory experience through its 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio mix. This mix retains the inherent shrillness of the lead actresses' performances, further emphasized by a substantial amount of ADR, which does not invite a fuller sound profile. Dialogue exchanges, though strange, remain intelligible, ensuring that performances are present and clear. While John Addison’s lighthearted score lacks lushness and possesses a certain tinny quality, it remains musically perceptive throughout the film. Sound effects are notably loud, underscoring the film's major comedic set pieces that often delve into audible chaos—presumably an intentional creative choice intertwined with some age-related audio wear.

Presented also in its original mono soundtrack via DTS-HD Master Audio, this track showcases clear and strong dialogue complemented by minimal instances of crackling, popping, or hissing—an impressive feat for a film of this age. The music score achieves an elevated level of ambiance, contributing to an overall lively audio environment. Although some natural thinness persists across the auditory elements, this release likely represents the best audio quality "Smashing Time" has enjoyed on home video. English subtitles are available, adding an extra layer of clarity for those who might need it.

Overall, while the audio presentation may not offer a modern high-fidelity experience, it succeeds in delivering clear dialogue and presents the music and sound effects as intended. The combination of inherent creative choices and preservation efforts ensures that "Smashing Time" maintains its quirky and chaotic auditory charm.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Smashing Time" offer a substantial deep dive into the film, enhanced by a commentary from film historian Kat Ellinger. Ellinger's insights provide context and commentary that connect "Smashing Time" to the broader British New Wave movement, though the information can sometimes appear disjointed. The disc lacks a theatrical trailer for the movie itself but compensates with a collection of bonus trailers from complementary films, giving further texture to the era represented by "Smashing Time."

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Kat Ellinger: Provides historical context and analysis.
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: Includes trailers for "The Knack… and How to Get It," "Modesty Blaise," "The Bed Sitting Room," and "Billion Dollar Brain."

"Smashing Time" (1967) directed by Desmond Davis, is an exuberant exploration of Swinging London featuring Lynn Redgrave and Rita Tushingham in lead roles. Redgrave's Yvonne and Tushingham’s Brenda are two provincial friends with ambitions to make it big in the expansive, eclectic London scene. Their escapades are structured through a series of vignettes, echoing the anarchic spirit of Richard Lester's films, as they bumble from job to job encountering deceptive men and judgmental women. Yvonne’s brash quest for fame contrasts sharply with Brenda’s more grounded, yet still calamitous, journey. The film’s comedic pace accelerates into scenes of slapstick frenzy that highlight a chaotic and colorful depiction of 1960s London but often run too long, diluting their impact.

Directionally, Davis channels an aesthetic befitting Carnaby Street while the film's pacing wavers. Scripted by George Melly, "Smashing Time" juxtaposes kitchen sink realism with broad slapstick akin to Laurel and Hardy, though it occasionally misses the mark in eliciting loud laughter. The slapstick sequences, such as a mid-movie pie fight at Sweeney Todd’s diner, are visually engaging yet tend to overstay their welcome. The decision to incorporate sung thoughts adds a unique but uneven touch, insufficiently executed compared to the lyrical brilliance of Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand in "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg".

Performances remain a highlight, with Redgrave dynamically breaking type from her role in "Georgy Girl" and Tushingham delivering grounded humor. Michael York as a tabloid photographer offers a suave if underwritten counterpoint. Supporting roles filled by British character actors inject additional personality into the film. Despite its uneven qualities and timing that missed the peak of the Swinging London moment, "Smashing Time" remains an intriguing artifact with just enough charm to earn its place as a small cult favorite.

“Smashing Time” is an exuberant satire that takes aim at the entertainment industry, while simultaneously capturing the self-indulgent essence of the Swinging Sixties. As an excitable film, it successfully lampoons the era's culture through its periodic, intentionally inane songs by John Addison, such as the catchy title tune that may linger for days. Its stars, Rita Tushingham and Lynn Redgrave, bring their characters to life with enough charisma to maintain a semblance of purpose amidst the chaotic narrative. While the film often feels too open-ended for its own good, certain intermittent creative elements manage to shine brightly.

The Blu-ray release by Kino provides a significant upgrade over previous versions, notable for its enhanced video and audio quality. The restoration work ensures that the colorful escapades and vibrant decorations of Swinging London are vividly brought to life, making it a more immersive experience. Although this release accentuates the film's visual and auditory appeal, it retains its essence as a historical artifact; an era encapsulated in manic antics that reflect the quirky sensibilities of its time.

Despite its faults, “Smashing Time” remains an enjoyable flick that acts as a spirited time capsule of a bygone era. The film's campy humor and flamboyant style are not universally appealing, but they do provide nostalgic charm for those willing to embrace its eccentricities. For enthusiasts and collectors, Kino’s Blu-ray release presents a definitive version worth adding to their collection.