HELL IS A CITY (uk dvd)
hammer films

dvd review
Detective Inspector Martineau (STANLEY BAKER) is touch, hardworking and one of Manchester's top policemen. So when Martineau hears of a jailbreak involving ruthless criminal and jewel thief Don Starling (JOHN CRAWFORD), whom he helped to put away, he is convinced Starling will come back to Manchester for one last heist. But when a simple robbery turns to murder, Martineau is on the case, obsessed with catching Starling, his pursuit consumes all parts of his life. But Starling won't be caught easily, and will go to any lengths not to go back to jail, whatever the price...

[DVD Cover blurb]

I've been singing the praises of Hell Is A City since I first saw the film a decade ago. Before Hammer allowed the horror films to take over completely, Val Guest directed a number of brilliantly different films in a wide range of genres (comedy, sci-fi, swashbuckler). Prior to his acclaimed Day the Earth Caught Fire he helmed this gritty police tale for the company, earning two BAFTA nominations (Best Screenplay and Most Promising Newcomer) in the process.

Guest's signature was his famous "cinema verité" style, utilising documentary film-making techniques to enhance the apparant realism of the project. His Quatermass films would benefit enormously from it, and to take it further the cameras filmed among the streets of Manchester for Helli. The city is allowed to be itself - a real city teaming with life, not all highbrow or mock working class, but real people and real lives. The script allows the characters to go through real lives, surviving where they can, having relationship problems, hurting.

Alongside this, the hunt for the escaped criminal Stannard (John Crawford) is gripping and exciting. There are some fine chases, beautiful photography and neat interplay between the characters. Stanley Baker is brilliant as the tortured police officer Martineau, and the film is also notable for Donald Pleasance's only Hammer credit.

This fine film, with its beautiful scope photography deserves to be viewed by everyone. Any enthusiast for Hammer, for British cinema, for thrillers or simply a good film, should hunt it down.

transfer
This is a fine transfer, rich in tone and texture. The extras are similar presented in fine scope versions, with mono soundtracks (the trailer is a little dirty in comparison).

extras
This UK version does well, including both the original theatrical trailer and the unusual alternate ending. This second piece, adds about another five minutes to the film duration, and includes an addition scene between Martineau and his wife - confronting their failing marriage and the need to reproduce. Its all very real, but a little out of place at this point in the film.

Sadly missing from the UK dvd is the Val Guest commentary which was available on the US dvd from Anchor Bay. As the Anchor Bay dvd is now much harder to get, I'd recommend this Cinema Club release to anyone who hasn't yet bought a copy of the film.

RJES

purchase Region 2 dvd at sendit.com

DISC:
Release Date: 4th April 2005 (UK)

Feature length: 92 mins
Year of 1st release: 1959
Rating: PG
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 anamorphic enhanced widescreen
Audio: Dolby Digital mono
No of Discs: 1
Region code: 2
Colour Format: PAL
Catalogue no: CCD30140
Distributor: Cinema Club / 2 entertain Video Ltd
Price: £12.99 (RRP)
Cast: Stanley Baker, Donald Pleasance, John Crawford, Billie Whitelaw
Director: Val Guest

SPECIAL FEATURES:
* scene selection
* alternate ending
* theatrical trailer

see left for full details