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The Go-Between [DVD]

Julie Christie (Actor), Alan Bates (Actor), Joseph Losey (Director) Rated: Parental Guidance Format: DVD
4.5 out of 5 stars 335 ratings
IMDb7.2/10.0
£2.64
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22 Jan. 2007 		—
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The Go Between £3.49 £5.99
Format PAL
Contributor Michael Redgrave, Edward Fox, Amaryllis Garnett, Harold Pinter, Margaret Leighton, Alan Bates, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Simon Hume-Kendall, Richard Gibson, L.P. Hartley, Joseph Losey, Dominic Guard, Julie Christie, Michael Gough See more
Language English
Runtime 1 hour and 51 minutes
Studio Optimum

Product description

Julie Christie stars in this screen adaptation of the classic novel by L.P. Hartley. A young teenage boy, Leo, is invited to a wealthy school friend's rich family estate and is drawn into a love affair between his friend's twenty-something sister, Marian, and the family neighbour, even though she is engaged to be married. She uses Leo as a go-between, sending messages to her lover. Despite feeling he is betraying her fiance Hugh, Leo carries on being the messager boy and discovers more about the attraction between men and women along the way.

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 4:3 - 1.33:1
  • Is discontinued by manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.7 x 19.1 x 1.9 cm; 36 g
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 5060034577638
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Joseph Losey
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ PAL
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 51 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ 22 Jan. 2007
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Michael Redgrave, Dominic Guard, Edward Fox
  • Language ‏ : ‎ Unqualified (Mono), English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Studiocanal
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000KRMZBK
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Harold Pinter, L.P. Hartley
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 335 ratings

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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Cesar
    5.0 out of 5 stars About the Blu Ray
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2010
    Verified Purchase
    MOVIE 4.5 / 5
    PICTURE 3.5 / 5
    AUDIO 3.5 / 5
    EXTRAS 3

    The disc is REGION B "LOCKED", so tested on a Momitsu Blu Ray player. Audio: English (DTS Master Audio Mono), German and Spanish Castillian. Subtitles: German, Spanish (Castillian), Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish. NO ENGLISH SUBTITLES though.

    For those not familiar with the movie, the story takes place in early 1900s England. A young boy -a child- almost 13 years old lends himself as a messenger between two lovers, an experience that will mark him for the rest of his life.

    This is a very good movie, that recreates a old world with so many details, that it makes one really feel in another time and place.

    It's not a movie for everyone though. It's slow, deliberate. To enjoy it, you have to able to put yourself in the young messenger's place, innocently trapped in a world that he has to discover and undesrtand as it unfolds before him, and it depends also in undertanding the the class-ridden and prohibitive world in which the love he came to witness (and serve) takes place.

    Although the casting was made so two stars can take first bill (Julie Christie and Alan Bates, whom do a very good job), it's Dominic Guard's subdued and tender performance the one that carries the film, an outstanding acting debut (winner of a Bafta Film award, "Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles"). It's worth mentioning too that Margareth Leighton was nominated for an Oscar, and won a Bafta too.

    Now, about the Blu Ray.

    Picture quality is hard to judge. Is it better than the DVD? I must say YES (my reference for comparison is the copy of the collection "Screen Icons" that the UK's Sunday Telgraph included as a giveaway some 4 years ago). Colors are truer, images clearer. The copy is in pristine condition, without stains or scratches or any other sign of deterioration. Grain is slightly present, and there's no evident manipulation like noise reduction or things like that. In general, details are more enhanced.

    So then, what's the problem?. I must quote INFREG, who, in this site, writes as follows (regarding an old dvd edition):
    "Yes, it is a pity that the movie is not presented in its intended theatrical aspect ratio 1.85... The movie is presented in its original open matte format, which means it was shot in conventional 1.33 to fit TV screens. For theatrical release the picture was then cropped at the top and the bottom, a common practice since the Fifties. So the picture is nothing missing here as the other reviewers suggest. Instead, it shows more information at the top and the bottom than the theatrical release. Just for the record".

    That's the DVD. The Blu Ray DOES present an 1:85:1 aspect ratio, meaning that it fills completely the 16 x 9 screen. Meaning that it discards the original film format and presents the movie the way INFREG says it was intended to be exhibited in theaters. Is INFREG right? I guess he is. Nothing in the movie, as included in the Blu Ray, appears as if out of frame or focus. All the contrary.

    There's a similar case with the Blu Ray release of "Herostratus" by the BFI. It presents the movie as it was supposed to be shown (16 x 9). But unlike The Go-Between, Herostratus BD includes the original film version (4 x 3) as an extra.

    The problem is that if you work with the original 4 x 3 version, but you have to "zoom it in" to fill the 16 x 9 screen, then inevitably you will lose detail. In other words, The Go-Between BD show better detail compared to the standard DVD, but it could have been better. That's the only explanation (not, let's say, some other defect in the transfer) that I find to explain the picture quality that I saw. I think Studio-Canal should have included the original format AS AN EXTRA, as BFI did with Herostratus.

    Another problem is that in some scenes the frame shakes slightly and repeatedly from side to side. As far as I could compare, this is a problem shared by the very same scenes on the dvd (so they seem to be inherent to the original film). At first, the issue is annoying, but afterwards they feel few and far between, not enough to ruin the experience.

    The original english audio track, decoded as DTS- Master Audio Stereo, but actually monophonic, is generally plain, as you would expect from a 1971 movie. Since it is expected, is not a flaw really. Being a movie dependent on dialogues, the most important thing is clarity, and you have it. And the music is pretty clear too. I must add that in comparison, german audio is not as good, and spanish audio is very poor. Those are also decoded as DTS Master Audio stereo (mono), but of lesser quality, evidently recorded when the movie was first released.

    Extras consist mainly on individual interviews, in some cases with people linked only indirectly with the director or the production. There are two important ones: with Gerry Fisher, cinematographer, and John Heyman, producer. There's also a short audio interview with director Joseph Losey, but from some 3 years after the movie and not specifically refered to the movie.

    FINAL WORDS. This BD is a must have for fans of the movie, and for those who have afinity with (and patience for) period dramas. Generally speaking, is not a reference Blu Ray, but I was satisfied with the presentation and I doubt that it can look better (except if they include the film in its original format, something that I don't think will happen).

    My greatest regret though is that this release is REGION B "locked", and so they have limited the possiblities for Blu Ray users (outside Europe) to get to know or collect this classic.
    44 people found this helpful
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  • Sindri
    5.0 out of 5 stars "Eloquent, literary and nostalgic..."
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2013
    Verified Purchase
    American screenwriter and director Joseph Losey`s twenty-third feature film which was written by English playwright, screenwriter, actor and director Harold Pinter (1930-2008), is an adaptation of a novel from 1953 by British author Leslie Poles Hartley (1895-1972). It was screened In competition at the 24th Cannes International Film Festival in 1971, was shot on location in the county of Norfolk in England and is a UK production which was produced by German-born British producer John Heyman and British producer Norman Priggen. It tells the story about Leo Colston, a 12-year-old student and a kind of magician who in a hot summer of 1900 is invited as a guest to a countryside mansion called the Brandham Hall in Norfolk by an aristocratic family named Maudsley. Leo has come there mainly due to his schoolmate Marcus who is the son of Mr and Mrs Maudsley, but his initial reasons for being there changes when he notices Marcus` elder sister Marian.

    Distinctly and precisely directed by American filmmaker Joseph Losey (1909-1984), this quietly paced fictional tale which is narrated by the protagonist and from multiple viewpoints, draws a gripping portrayal of the moral and emotional dilemma an adolescent boy is faced with after becoming a secret messenger and the forbidden relationship between an aristocratic an affianced young woman and a tenant farmer who has to hide their romance. While notable for its naturalistic and atmospheric milieu depictions, sterling production design by English production designer Carmen Dillon, cinematography by English cinematographer Gerry Fisher, costume design by costume designer John Furniss and the fine editing by English film editor Reginald Black (1902-1992), this character-driven and narrative-driven period drama where an aging man reminiscence a pivotal year in his life when his young heart was struck by a magnificent woman, depicts an empathic and incisive study of character and contains an efficient and prominent score by French composer Michel Legrand.

    This romantic, suspenseful, reflective and stringently structured story which is set against the backdrop of a rural county near the city of Norwich in East England in the late 19th century, examines themes like friendship, class distinctions, loss of innocence and is impelled and reinforced by its fragmented narrative structure, substantial character development, subtle continuity, foreboding and harmonic atmosphere, graceful aura, exceptionally moving flash forward scenes and the memorable acting performances by former English actor Dominic Guard in his debut feature film role, English actress Julie Christie, English actor Sir Alan Bates (1934-2003), English actress Margaret Leighton (1922-1976) and English actor Edward Fox. An eloquent, literary and nostalgic coming-of-age tale from the early 1970s which brilliantly combines various genres and which gained, among numerous other awards, the Palme d`Or at the 24th Cannes Film Festival in 1971.

    As their two previous cooperation`s, Joseph Losey and author Harold Pinter`s third and final collaboration is a film adaptation of a novel by a 20th century British writer and an artistic character piece that examines and emphasizes the internal struggles of characters from upper and lower social classes who are either by themselves or others led into predicaments that unravels their frailty. This mysterious and dense triangle drama which follows the memories of a main character who looks back at a faraway past that has left him scarred for life, is a timeless and masterful cinematic accomplishment.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Jeanine Reeves
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 7 August 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this item for a gift, and the lady just loves the book! Thank you so much!
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  • Ray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ein Sommer in Brandham Hall....
    Reviewed in Germany on 23 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Leslie Poles Hartley (Dez. 1895 – Dez. 1972) hat mit "Ein Sommer in Brandham Hall" ein wunderbares Buch über das Erwachsenwerden geschrieben, das von dem großen Filmemacher Joseph Losey unter dem Titel "Der Mittler" im Jahr 1970 verfilmt wurde. Es entstand dabei einer der schönsten Kostümfilme aller zeiten und ist neben dem 1976 entstandenen Spätwerk "Monsieur Klein" sogar Loseys bester Film - noch besser als "Der Diener" oder "Accident".
    Erzählt wird die Geschichte durch den zwölfjährigen Helden des Romans, Leo Colston (Dominic Guard - bekannt auch durch die TV-Serie "So grün war mein Tal" und durch "Picknick am Valentinstag"), der den glühend heißen Sommer des Jahres 1900 auf dem Landsitz Brandham Hall beschreibt. Der Junge, der sich sehr für Magie interessiert, verbringt dort 19 Tage und wurde von der Familie seines Schulfreundes Marcus Maudsley (Richard Gibson). Er wird von den Maudsleys herzlich aufgenommen, auch wenn sie sich im edwardiansichen England mit seinen noch bestehenden Standesunterschieden ein bisschen lästern über die nicht gerade vermögende Mutter des Jungens. Dabei freundet sich der Junge vor allem auch mit Marcus älterer Schwester Marian (Julie Christie) an, in die sich der Junge sogar heimlich verliebt. Die wird aber als zukünftige Verlobte von Hugh Trimmingham (Edward Fox) gehandelt. Als Hugh auch Ted (Alan Bates), den nicht standesgemäßen Pächter des benachbarten Bauernhofs kenennlernt, bittet ihn dieser ein Brief, der für Marian bestimmt ist, zu überbringen. Der Mann bittet dabei um die größte Geheimhaltung und maximale Diskretion. So wird der Junge zum Briefboten für die hochgeheime erotische Liason, die Marcus und Marian miteinander verbindet. Der Junge ist der Mittler zwischen den beiden. Als Marians Mutter hinter den Briefwechsel kommt, entwirft Marian zunächst eine Lügengeschichte, dass die Briefe nicht für sie bestimmt seien. Doch die Lüge wird bald aufgedeckt....Joseph Losey hat in überragend schönen und betörenden Bildern eine Adoleszentgeschichte verpackt, die zugleich für Schönheit und Vergänglichkeit, für Leben und Tod, für Jugend und Alter steht. Denn am Ende wird der alte Mann Leo (Michael Redgrave) im Jahr 1952 noch einmal zum Boten von Marian, sie bittet ihren jungen Verehrer von damals ihren eigenen Enkel zu besuchen und ihm eine Geschichte von damals zu erzählen, die verschwiegen wurde. Marians Enkel hat eine verblüffende Ähnlichkeit zum Bauern Ted und es stellt sich heraus, dass Marian damals schwanger war und ein Kind aus dieser verbotenen Liebe gebar. Die Geschichte ist mit großer Genauigkeit, voller Konzentration und perfekter Stimmung aufgebaut. In Ruhe und Klarheit entwickelt sich eine elementare Geschichte. Dabei strahlt der alternde Leo eine starke Traurigkeit aus - als Mittler war er vielleicht zu einem passiven Part verdamt. Dabei hatte dieser so insprierende Sommer so einen verheißungsvollen Klang. Ein wunderschöner Film, für mich ganz klar einer der besten britischen Filme aller Zeiten.
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  • Cristian J. Vargas Díaz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mi primera compra de Amazon Europa
    Reviewed in Mexico on 8 February 2025
    Verified Purchase
    La película es excelente, por supuesto. Una parte esencial de la trilogía Losey-Pinter, presentada en una de las estupendas ediciones que acostumbra Studiocanal.

    Ésta fue mi primera compra en Amazon Europa y todo llegó en perfecto estado. Debo decir que el envío se demoró una semana más de lo estimado, pero considerando que el paquete salió de la Unión Europea, entró a Londres y de allí cruzó el Atlántico, para someterse al caos controlado de las paqueterías locales mexicanas... no estuvo nada mal.
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  • Marian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un grand classique
    Reviewed in France on 7 January 2020
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    Très beau film sur la fin de l'enfance, servi par la musique de Jacques Demy. Sous-titres uniquement en anglais.
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  • Rick Deckard
    5.0 out of 5 stars EL MENSAJERO (EDICIÓN DE REINO UNIDO)
    Reviewed in Spain on 24 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    La edición de Reino Unido en blu-ray de EL MENSAJERO (THE GO- BETWEEN) - 1970 incluye audio y subtítulos en castellano.
    El ASIN asociado a esta edición es: B002BC9Z0G.
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