Black Jack

An oddity from English writer-director Ken Loach's early career, this 1979 adaptation of a 1968 children's book by Leon Garfield is a period piece set in 1750. The title character is a huge Frenchman (Jean Franval) who survived the hangman's noose by a clever ruse, but the narrative focus is actually on young Tolly (Stephen Hirst), an apprentice forced to accompany the inarticulate giant. Together, the pair enjoy a series of adventures—even joining a traveling carnival—but the most notable part of their picaresque journey involves the rescue of a troubled young girl, Belle (Louise Cooper), whose family intends to lock her away in a mental hospital. Belle and Tolly fall in love, and after she is virtually imprisoned in the asylum, he attempts to extricate her. Meanwhile, a lad named Hatch (Andrew Bennett), who offers a stark contrast to Tolly's integrity, tries at every turn to use Belle's plight to his advantage. Loach draws extraordinarily natural performances from the non-professionals he prefers to cast, while cinematographer Chris Menges uses the Yorkshire locations to remarkable effect, not only the lush outdoors but also the interiors, which are lit authentically with candles or oil lamps, lending a shimmering glow to the image (when it's not menacingly dark). A casually structured story that meanders along episodically, Black Jack serves up an amazingly evocative portrait of 18th-century English society as well as a charming tale of young love. Making its Blu-ray debut, this 35th anniversary edition features extras including audio commentary by Loach, deleted scenes, and an essay by film critic and scholar Peter Tonguette. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)