THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY

THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY [1980] [Blu-ray] [1980 / 2018] [UK Release] Who Lit The Fuse That Tore Harold's World Apart?

Harold Shand [Bob Hoskins] is a businessman with great ambitions. Spotting the development potential of London s derelict Docklands area years before the Thatcher government, Harold Shand tries to broker a deal with his American counterpart Charlie [Eddie Constantine] that will make them both millions. But who is killing Harold Shand’s other associates and blowing up his businesses and why?

Universally regarded as one of the greatest British gangster films ever made, ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ rocketed Bob Hoskins to international stardom. Bob Hoskins is given sterling support from Helen Mirren (as his upper-crust mistress), Paul Freeman ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and Derek Thompson ‘Casualty’ and there’s even an early appearance from future James Bond Pierce Brosnan.

FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1982 BAFTA Awards: Nominations: Bob Hoskins for Best Actor. 1982 Evening Standard British Film Awards: Win: Bob Hoskins for Best Actor. 1982 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Nomination: Best Foreign Film for John Mackenzie. 1983 Edgar Allen Poe Awards: Win Best Motion Picture for Barrie Keeffe.

FILM FACT No.2: ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ film was completed in 1979, but because of delays, it did not have a general release until early 1981. It received positive reviews from critics, and Bob Hoskins was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and won an Evening Standard Film Award for his performance as gangster Harold Shand. It was voted at number 21 in the British Film Institute's Top 100 British films list, and provided Hoskins with his breakthrough film role. In 2016, British film magazine Empire ranked ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ number 19 in its list of The 100 best British films. The film was directed by John Mackenzie and produced for £930,000 by Barry Hanson from a script by Barrie Keeffe, with a soundtrack by the composer Francis Monkman; it was screened at the Cannes, Edinburgh and London Film Festivals in 1980. The role of Harold Shand was written specifically with Bob Hoskins in mind. In 1981, it was reported that Bob Hoskins was suing both Black Lion and Calendar Films to prevent their planned release of a US TV version in which Bob Hoskins’ voice would be dubbed by English Midlands actor David Daker. Ultimately, Bob Hoskins’ voice was not dubbed.

Cast: Paul Freeman, Leo Dolan, Kevin McNally, Patti Love, P.H. Moriarty, Derek Thompson, Bryan Marshall, Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Ruby Head, Charles Cork, Olivier Pierre, Pierce Brosnan, Daragh O'Malley, Dave King, Karl Howman, Brian Hall, Alan Ford, Dave Ould, Paul Kember, Bill Moody, Alan Devlin, Eddie Constantine, Stephen Davies, Bruce Alexander, Nigel Humphreys, Brian Hayes, Georgie Phillips, Mary Sheen, Pauline Melville, Trevor Laird, Paul Barber, Dexter Fletcher, Billy Cornelius, Michael Ryan, Rob Walker, Nick Stringer, Gillian Taylforth, Robert Hamilton, James Ottaway, Roy Alon, Tony Rohr, Tony Clarkin (uncredited), Tim Condren (uncredited), George Coulouris (uncredited), Maxwell Craig (uncredited), Jim Dowdall (uncredited), Harry Fielder (uncredited), Terry Forrestal (uncredited), Jill Goldston (uncredited), Peter McNamara (uncredited), Ralph G. Morse (uncredited), Terence Plummer (uncredited), Alan Talbot (uncredited) and Bill Weston (uncredited)

Director: John Mackenzie

Producers: Barry Hanson, Chris Griffin, Denis O'Brien (uncredited) and George Harrison (uncredited)

Screenplay: Barrie Keeffe

Composer: Francis Monkman

Make-up and Hair Department: Freddie Williamson (Make-up Artist), Sue Ignatius (Make-up Artist) (uncredited) and Colin Jamison (Hairdresser)

Costume Design: Tudor George

Special Effects: David Harris (Special effects technician) (uncredited), Graham Aikman (Special effects) (uncredited), Ian Wingrove (Special effects) and Steve Hamilton (Special effects technician) (uncredited)

Cinematography: Philip Méheux, B.S.C. (Director of Photography)

Image Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio

Subtitles: English

Running Time: 114 minutes

Region: Region B/2

Number of discs: 1

Studio: Handmade Films / Arrow Video

Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ [1980] is a character-driven thriller and featuring a swanky music score by Francis Monkman that remains as relevant for the current war on terror as it did when it debuted in 1981. Starring Bob Hoskins in his breakthrough film performance, this Barrie Keeffe-penned tale follows Harold Shand [Bob Hoskins], a Cockney crime boss at the top of his game. Harold is trying to seal a lucrative London real estate deal with an American mobster Charlie [Eddie Constantine] when a mysterious foe starts killing his friends and henchmen, and bombs destroy his places of operation. Harold Shand thought there was peace in the underworld. So who is out to get him and why?

It turns out Harold Shand's trouble is the result of his treacherous right-hand man, Jeff [Derek Thompson], who ripped off money from the wrong guys like the IRA. This revelation provides ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ with a provocative political subtext missing from other gangster films. Director John Mackenzie's film portrays the Irish Republican Army as a relentless phantom menace that threatens the agenda of the powerful and corrupt in Margaret Thatcher-era England. We never really get to know any of the IRA members, although viewers will recognize future 007 Pierce Brosnan in his screen debut as the main IRA hitman. The patriotic and proud Harold Shand realises too late that he's dealing with a foe he simply doesn't comprehend and whom he has tragically underestimated.

Directed by John Mackenzie and written by Barrie Keeffe, ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ is a rabidly engaging, complex melodrama, brimming over with moxie. Unlike classic gangster heroes like Little Caesar, who fought their way out of the faceless mob and was punished for brutality and ambition, Harold Shand struggles to control his animal urges and to act like a civic-minded businessman. He detests anarchy and tries to use violence only as a tool. If he’s doomed, it’s because his left-handed brand of capitalism can’t defend itself against the terrorism of the IRA. Harold Shand becomes a sacrificial lamb for all our Western sins. After Harold Shand — the apocalypse!

But of course Bob Hoskins’ fuming, iconic performance fuels this film right until its gripping conclusion, a finale that relies entirely on Bob Hoskins’ stony silence and myriad facial expressions. Bob Hoskins receives top-notch support from co-star Helen Mirren, who portrays his upper-class wife Victoria. Theirs is a humanizing relationship rarely seen in gangster films: loving partners from two very different worlds who rely on each other for strength and counsel. Not surprisingly, the enthusiastic reviews and fervent cult following have kept this film at the top of the heap among the HandMade library.

‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ has Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren goes all the way with the make-or-break parts of Harold Shand and his beloved Victoria. In no small performing feat, Mirren creates a gal who’s smart, sensual, and tough, able to control most of her big shot’s detonations and even, in a wrestling feint, calm him to a standstill. And Bob Hoskins has the gift usually attributed to American, not English, actors — of getting so far inside a character’s skin that we seem to be witnessing vivid behaviour rather than bravura performance in ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ and people felt Bob Hoskins performance packed a great deal into Harold Shand’s character so making director John Mackenzie enabled to resurrect the British gangster film.

On top of all that, director John Mackenzie gives us a totally gripping London classic is of less importance than what is done within its straightforward framework. What lingers after viewing the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ is an incredibly energetic brew of charisma, glamour and danger. These traits are channelled most effectively through Harold Shand himself, played with iron conviction by Bob Hoskins at his zenith career. Harold Shand enthrals all aboard his yacht in the shadow of Tower Bridge. Harold Shand schmoozes the Brooklyn mob. Harold Shand orders assaults and murders, and in one particularly vicious scene leaves no doubt of his terrifying ability with a broken bottle. Bob Hoskins said of the role: “Funnily enough I've never had any trouble with violence. It frightens the life out of me that it comes so easily.”

Director John Mackenzie credits cinematographer Phil Méheux with capturing London in its grimy and glitzy ambivalence, rather than giving the film a look too obviously indebted to film noir. But Director John Mackenzie’s own savvy directorial decisions coaxed the best out of Hoskins and his co-stars, and produced innovative visual ideas like the striking abattoir scene. The film’s glamour, though visually manifested by yachts on the Thames, penthouse flats and casinos, is best personified by Harold Shand’s moll, Victoria [Helen Mirren]. It is Victoria who calms Harold Shand and his associates when his crew start dropping, and who sees him during his rare instances of quiet, apologetic vulnerability. Actress Helen Mirren excels as a dignified, peremptory woman who has everything and deals with crises impeccably.  Helen Mirren and Bob Hoskins were both well on their way to huge fame at the time of production and worked so impeccable well together with their superb acting performances and deserved all the plaudits said about their acting roles in the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.’ 

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Blu-ray Image Quality – Handmade Films and Arrow Video presents us the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ with a new 1080p image that was created from the original camera negative and of course is shown in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris and scratched were removes through a combination of digital restoration tools. Image restoration stability was also improved and was then fully graded under the supervision of the film's director of photography Philip Méheux, B.S.C. and the restoration that was carried out at Deluxe Restoration in London and supervised by James White on behalf of Arrow Films. The original camera negative was scanned in 2K resolution on a pin-registered ARRISCAN, and the film was graded on the Baselight professional colour grading system and it looks absolutely gorgeous. The picture image quality looks brighter than I've ever seen it and the balance of the contrast is when the lighting conditions are favourable is close to sublime. The colours are also richer and deeper than they were ever on the DVD release. Plus, it has been given a clean and vibrant and with naturalistic skin tones and crisp black levels, and the level of detail far outstrips its standard definition predecessors. Thousands of instances of dust and dirt were removed, picture stability was improved. Honestly, it almost feels like a totally different film and according to Philip Méheux, B.S.C., and this is how he always wanted the film to look. Extra special thanks goes to Philip Méheux, B.S.C., Peter Hannan and Handmade Films.  

Blu-ray Audio Quality – Handmade Films and Arrow Video brings us the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ with a 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio that has been given a slightly narrowed dynamic range, but clarity is first rate and the music, sound effects and dialogue are very cleanly reproduced. There're more going on at the treble end of the spectrum than at the bass, and the original mono soundtrack was transferred from the original magnetic reels and audio issues such as pops, clicks and audible buzz were repaired or removed. So of course there is, as indicated, no trace or any damage or other errant noises and audio issues audible.

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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:

High Definition [1080p] Blu-ray presentation of the film, in a brand new restoration sourced from the original camera negatives and approved by cinematographer Philip Méheux, B.S.C.

Special Feature: Audio Commentary by John Mackenzie [Audio only] [2015] [1080p] [1.85:1] [110:53] With this featurette, we get to hear this in-depth audio commentary with director John Mackenzie and is a seriously and fascinating worthwhile listen and of course John Mackenzie is here to talk about the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ is a compelling talker and his almost pause-free commentary that is jam-packed with information on the making of the film, from its original inception through its production to the problems with ITC Entertainment on the film’s completion and as the film starts John Mackenzie introduces himself and says the composed music by Francis Monkman takes him back 20 years and talks about meeting the composer to talk about the type of music he wanted composed for the 1980 film and originally Francis Monkman was a rock musician and John Mackenzie was asked to checkout Francis Monkman CD by the English/Australian band Sky and consisted of the best-known line-up featured two Australians classical guitarist John Williams and electric guitarist Kevin Peek alongside three Britons bass player Herbie Flowers, drummer/percussionist Tristan Fry and keyboard player Francis Monkman who were a very relaxed band who were an instrumental rock group that specialised in combining a variety of musical styles, most prominently rock, classical and jazz. Now as the film progresses John Mackenzie goes into great detail on how he wanted the film to be a very British gangster film and also goes into great detail about certain scenes in throughout film on what he felt was right and also wanted to show the opulent lifestyle of British gangster Harold Shand and all the glitz and glamour of his lifestyle and taste, which of course would not be for everyone and also wanted to reflect the times the film is set in the 1960’s of London. John Mackenzie also goes into great detail about the scenes where Rolls Royces and building were blown and how he wanted them to be filmed and the pub Lion & Unicorn was actually built in London Docklands that was the riverfront and former docks in London and located in inner east and southeast London, in the boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Newham and Greenwich, and all the interior of the pub Lion & Unicorn was all fully decorated out for the film to make us feel it was a real London pub and they did fo round to real London pubs to talk to the landlords if they could film their pub being blown up and of course each of the landlords turned them down 100%. There is also specific discussion by John Mackenzie on the casting and work of each of the lead actors, plus info on the certain locations in London and a number of entertaining anecdotes on the filming of specific scenes. There's also praise for the work of cinematographer Philip Méheux, B.S.C. and details of changes made to the script, and an admission that he always closes his eyes when he gets to the film's most violent scene – “I hate blood,” he confesses. As we get near to the end of the audio commentary and of course the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ John Mackenzie mentions that the film was a great success especially when the film opened in the cinemas in the West End and was also very well received by the critics and one evening John Mackenzie visited one of the cinemas in London and saw a massive que of people waiting to enter the cinema and what disturbed John Mackenzie was that there was this one guy was flogging illegal video tapes of ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ and was selling them to the que outside the cinema  and says that just showed you how successful and popular the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ was. But now we are nearing the end of the film and John Mackenzie says normally he finds ending of films very difficult, but for this 1980 film he knew exactly how he wanted the film to end, and if you have not seen the film, then of course you will have to view the film to find out what the dramatic ending to the film and the film will shock you how the film ends, especially with the two main actors Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren and John Mackenzie goes into great detail on how difficult was to film in the Rolls Royce with the actor Bob Hoskins in it as there was director John Mackenzie, cinematographer Phil Méheux and a sound recordist, and of course the person driving the car, and at that point this audio commentary with John Mackenzie comes to an end and I can tell you it is a totally brilliant and fascinating audio commentary and one of the best I have heard in a very long time and definitely gets a five star rating from me.

Special Feature: Bloody Business: The Making of ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ [2006] [1080p / 480i] [1.78:1 / 1.37:1 / 2.35:1] [54:52] With this featurette, we get to view an in-depth documentary about the making of the very creative and dramatic ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ film and including very interesting and informative interviews who gave positive remarks about the film and the opportunity it gave him. The nearly hour-long featurette recounts that the original screenplay by Barrie Keeffe was going to be entitled “The Paddy Factor” but was quickly changed as they felt it gave the plot away with the involvement of the I.R.A. and of course there were many revisions done to Barrie Keeffe's screenplay, casting, the original ITC exhibitor problems and near-lawsuits that plagued the movie upon completion, and how Eric Idle finally came to the film's rescue. At all stages of the process of bringing the film to the screen are covered, but hear from a wider variety of viewpoints, which also triggers a new set of memories and anecdotes. We also get a breakdown on the shooting of specific scenes, and details of changes made to scripted sequences and why they were altered. Here apparently a major problem had arisen with the company refusing to release its own film and this was resolved by George Harrison's HandMade Films agreeing to buy it and release it themselves – thanks George! The other thing I wondered was regarding the role of Helen Mirren, which seemed pivotal and unusual. Although quietly spoken and modest Helen Mirren makes it very clear that she had a direct role in changing her character from the usual submissive gangster moll to central position she takes in the final cut. As ever, it's Bob Hoskins who proves the most entertaining, particularly his recollection of attending the screening of the version in which his voice had been re-dubbed. One outstanding thing all contributors said about the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ is that they were totally honoured to be involved with such an iconic British gangster film. This is the ultimate and essential featurette for fans of the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY,’ BUT please do not watch this featurette before you actually watch the movie. Of course throughout the featurette we get to view quite a few clips from the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.’ Contributors include: Barry Hanson [Producer], John Mackenzie [Director], Bob Hoskins [Harold Shand], Helen Mirren [Victoria], Philip Méheux, B.S.C. [Director of Photography] and Pierce Brosnan [I.R.A. Hitman].

Special Feature: Interviews: With this featurette, we get to view three in-depth interviews with the following:

Barry Hanson [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [5:40] With this  featurette, we get to hear and meet the film's producer Barry Hanson, who recalls working with actor Bob Hoskins on the theatre production of Richard III and ensures us that as a stage actor he was someone who gave an audience confidence. Barry Hanson also feels parts of ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ film have some aspect of Shakespeare. Barry Hanson also says that he felt the script was really excellent and that the actors also praised the script and at that point in this featurette, it comes to an end. Throughout this featurette we get to view some clips from the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.’

Barrie Keeffe [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [8:28] With this featurette, we get to meet and hear from the screenwriter Barrie Keeffe takes us through how the script came to be, and says that he claims the first draft was one of the fastest he ever wrote and talks in-depth about the characters of Harold Shand and Victoria, the casting and performance of Bob Hoskins, and how later EastEnders actress Gillian Taylforth landed a role intended for her sister. Barrie Keeffe also informs us some of the early money for the 1980 film came from Lew Grade and his company ITC [Incorporated Television Company] and at that meeting they talked about what of sort of genre film they would like to make and that they all said they would love to see a cockney style gangster film and the main character would be a sort of cockney style Humphrey Bogart, and make it something special and unusual British gangster film, and of course it had to be set in London, and of course involve the I.R.A. and wanted the character Harold Shand to be respected among his peers, but of course in the thick of it the crisis he now becomes very ruthless and very vicious, and on top of all that, before the 1980 film, Bob Hoskins appeared in the brilliant 1978 BBC TV miniseries “Pennies From Heaven” and says Bob Hoskins came into acting very late in his career. Barrie Keeffe also says he really like the character Victoria who of course was played by Helen Mirren in the 1980 film and felt her character held everything together throughout the film, and in England we love to see a posh woman who shacks up with a geezer like Harold Shand. Barrie Keeffe also comments that having the yacht owned by Harold Shand would create a lot of fun in the 1980 film and helped that it was filmed in the height of the summer of 1978, and of course the yacht was owned by a private citizen. Barrie Keeffe also explains in detail how the idea for the film emerged and how the main characters were profiled for their strengths and weaknesses, their goals, their beliefs, etc. Barrie Keeffe was interviewed by Daniel Bird. Throughout this featurette we again get to view some clips from the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.’  

Phil Méheux [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:18] With this featurette, we get to meet and hear a very brief chat with the film's director of photography Phil Méheux in which he recalls being first approached by John Mackenzie and resisting because it was originally planned as a TV movie and was not at all interested in the project, because Phil Méheux is really only interested in working in films and will always resit in working on any TV film project. But of course Phil Méheux was eventually persuaded to work on ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ when he was informed it was going to be a film. Phil Méheux also talks about the wonderful upgraded Blu-ray restoration, which is illustrated by some split screen before-and-after comparison shots and on the left we have the Older video transfer and on the right we get to view the New Arrow restoration with the actor Bob Hoskins on the yacht with Tower Bridge behind the Bob Hoskins. Phil Méheux also talks in-depth in discussing the film's framing that original was going to be in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio, but eventually it was decided to film it in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, as well as an important correction that was made during the recent 2K Blu-ray restoration. Throughout this featurette we again get to view some clips from the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.’ 

Special Feature: Hands Across the Ocean [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [7:10] With this featurette, we get to view a comparison of the differences between the UK and USA soundtracks when the film eventually made its way to America. Also, when the film was released in America a small number of scenes were re-voiced by the original actors to tweak the language in a way that would be more intelligible to an American audience. Five sequences are shown here, first in their original form, and in the redubbed version accompanied by white subtitles of the original dialogue and interesting we get to see which words were changed. We are informed that when Handmade Films bought the rights to the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ for its International distribution, the threat of it premiering on television in a severally cut and redubbed version was finally banished. But although Bob Hoskins’ towering performance of the gangster Harold Shand, had been compared with actors James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson back home, and wondered how would Bob Hoskins fare with the USA audiences? Commendably, virtually all the original soundtrack was left intact, despite the strong COCKNEY accents, although five brief sections in the 1980 film were revoiced in order to make the British actors clear to American ears, and we are informed that what we get to view is the soundtrack of the American release version of ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ film especially with the original British dialogue and is presented with white subtitles for comparison purpose and of course we get to view certain scenes from the ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ film to show you the comparison of what has been described in this featurette.

Special Feature: Theatrical Trailers [1980] [1080i] [1.78:1] [4:37] With this featurette, we get to view two types of Original Theatrical Trailers for the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.’

BONUS: Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned illustrated artwork by Matthew Griffin.

Finally, of course London has changed immeasurably since the release of the film ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ [1980] original release, and to watch it now is to dip into a perverse nostalgia. There are also few remaining areas of London that a contemporary Harold Shand could choose to redevelop. ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ is arguably the best British gangster film ever made due to its politically-charged story and the brilliant performances of Bob Hoskins and Hellen Mirren. What more is there to say? It is a totally brilliant and dramatic film, with a totally magnificent restoration and image transfer, and an excellent set of extra special features. It doesn't matter which version of the release you prefer, just get your hands on this Handmade Films and Arrow Video Blu-ray release. Very Highly Recommended!

Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom