Sunday Bloody Sunday

This 1971 drama, exquisitely directed by John Schlesinger from a script by Penelope Gilliatt, is one of the most civilized and literate films ever made, and in its way one of the saddest. When it was first released, the underlying romantic triangle--a middle-aged homosexual doctor (Peter Finch), a female executive (Glenda Jackson), and the sleekly handsome young sculptor (Murray Head) they both bed--was shocking, but it was portrayed with so delicate and sensitive a touch that audiences were sympathetic rather than outraged; today, the relationships are far less provocative but still very affecting. The theme of the film is accommodation: the doctor and his female rival realize that the flighty artist will never commit to either of them (indeed, he's planning to abandon both to go to New York), but each seems willing, indeed anxious, to accept whatever he might offer as better than nothing, believing that an absence of actual unhappiness is about all one can expect in life--a profoundly bleak philosophy. Finch gives a beautifully restrained performance, Head is appropriately pretty and bland, and while Jackson's histrionic intensity grates, it's a necessary facet of her character's emotionalism in contrast to her rival's cerebral nature. A brilliant, quietly devastating film, Sunday Bloody Sunday makes its DVD debut sporting a handsome widescreen transfer but no extras. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Oct. 23, 2012—Criterion, 110 min., R, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its second appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1971's Sunday Bloody Sunday sports a great transfer with Dolby Digital mono audio on DVD, and uncompressed mono audio on Blu-ray. Extras include a “making-of” featurette with author William J. Mann (24 min.), an illustrated 1975 audio interview with director John Schlesinger (13 min.), and interviews with cinematographer Billy Williams (13 min.), production designer Luciana Arrighi (10 min.), costar Murray Head (8 min.), and Schlesinger's longtime partner and photographer Michael Childers (8 min.), as well as a booklet. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an excellent film.]