(Roy Boulting, 1940)
Release date: 27 June 2022
Limited Edition Blu-ray
When the quiet German village of Altdorf is taken over by an SS platoon which proceeds to enforce Hitler's ideals upon its inhabitants, a kindly pastor questions the agenda of ‘The New Order’ while members of his parish turn a blind eye to the insidious indoctrination. Before long, he is punished for his vocal opposition and is sent to Dachau, where, despite the abuse and brutality which he suffers, he refuses to give in to the madness and inhumanity of National Socialism.
Adapted from Ernst Toller’s 1939 play of the same name, and based on the true story of Protestant minister Martin Niemöller, Pastor Hall is the impressive third feature from the Boulting brothers (Brighton Rock). Starring Wilfrid Lawson (Pygmalion) as the iconic pastor, and Nova Pilbeam (Young and Innocent) as his formidable daughter, the film was one of the first anti-Nazi dramas ever made and had its original production delayed by British censors who were not yet ready to be openly critical of Hitler's regime.
A bold and stirring tribute to the universal power of faith, courage and personal conviction, Pastor Hall has been newly restored from a 4K scan of the nitrate duplicate negative by Powerhouse Films and is finally available on Blu-ray for the first time in the world.
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
- New restoration from a 4K scan of the nitrate duplicate negative by Powerhouse Films
- Original mono audio
-
Matthew D Hockenos on Martin Niemöller (2022): the author of Then They Came for Me: Martin Niemöller, the Pastor Who Defied the Nazis discusses the life and legacy of the German pastor
-
Richard Falcon on ‘Pastor Hall’ (2022): the ex-BBFC examiner discusses the film’s history with the British Board of Film Censors
- Newsreel footage (1946): extract from Welt in Film featuring Niemöller speaking about post-war German guilt
-
The Dawn Guard (1941): short film directed by Roy Boulting and starring Pastor Hall actors Percy Walsh and Bernard Miles as members of the Home Guard
-
Minefield! (1944): documentary short film produced by Roy Boulting for the Army Film Unit
- New and improved subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Fiona Kelly, archival articles, new writing on the short films, and film credits
- World premiere on Blu-ray
- Limited edition of 4,000 copies for the UK and US
A darkly comic satire on male fragility, Chris Cooke’s One for the Road is one of the great, unsung British films of the twenty-first century. Made in Nottingham using early digital cameras – utilising a beer-soaked, cigarette-stained palette – it avoids the clichés associated with British cinema and embraces the do-anything nature of its chosen format to become its own, distinct work. The film also showcases a fine ensemble of acting talent in not only Bennett, but also Rupert Procter, Greg Chisholm, Mark Devenport, Micaiah Dring and Johann Myers
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
New restoration from a 2K scan of an original preservation print by Powerhouse Films
Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Thirza Wakefield, archival interviews, an overview of contemporary critical responses, new writing on the short films, and film credits
Authentic cinema presentation of this digital video-originated production
Original 5.1 surround sound and 2.0 stereo audio tracks
Audio commentary with writer-director Chris Cooke, producer Kate Ogborn and co-producer Helen Solomon (2003)
Audio commentary with actors Greg Chisholm, Mark Devenport and Rupert Procter (2003)
Brand new retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Cooke, actors Chisholm, Devenport, Procter and Johann Myers, composer Steve Blackman, and camera operator Steven Sheil (2022)
Video diaries with Chris Cooke and Steven Sheil (2003)
Original theatrical trailer
Website ‘virals’ (2003): promotional videos featuring improvised, in-character footage of Devenport and Procter
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
Map of the Scars (1998): short film written and directed by Chris Cooke, starring Andrew Tiernan
Map of the Scars audio commentary with Cooke (2003)
Shifting Units (2001): short film written and directed by Cooke, about an alcoholic salesman, that served as the inspiration for One for the Road
Why I Hate Parties (But Pretend to Love Them) (2003): short film co-written and directed by Devenport, with photography by Cooke, and featuring cast members from One for the Road
Gary the Rapper vs Stefan Blix (2014): short film co-written and directed by Devenport, with photography by Cooke, starring One for the Road composer Steve Blackman
Whiskers and Jane (2017): short film written by Devenport and Blackman, directed by Devenport, and starring Procter
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
World premiere on Blu-ray
Limited edition of 4,000 copies for the UK and US
