The Crying Game (DVD + Blu-ray)

great

The Crying Game ( Special Edition) [DVD ]Neil Jordan's masterpiece from 1992 is one of those few films that, despite being dated, is as compelling 25 years on as it was at the time of its original release. Fashion has changed and, thankfully, so has the political climate in Northern Ireland and Britain, but the moral dilemma of Stephen Rea's character is as poignant today as it was then.If you haven't seen the film, do yourself a favour and don't look up the plot on the internet. This is one film you want to watch without any previous spoilers. Seriously. Neil Jordan's original screen play won an Oscar, that should be enough to convince you that this is worth watching. Whatever else has been written and said will still be there later. Also, watch the film before exploring the bonus material. Same reason. Don't spoil it for yourself.The acting is quite exceptional throughout, with highly deserved Oscar nominations for Stephen Rea and J. Davidson. There were further Oscar nominations for best director (Neil Jordan), best picture and best film editing. Yeah, this is seriously good. Also very good is the soundtrack. Especially the eponymous title song, which predates the film and thus was never eligible for an Oscar, is outstanding.One word about the Optimum Home Releasing Special Edition DVD from 2006 I purchased. This is advertised as a two disc release, but when it arrived, there was only one disc. Which did, however, contain all the advertised features: - Alternative Ending - The Crying Game Making of Featurette - Director's Commentary - Original TrailerHaving bought a used copy I cannot be sure that a second disc was not missing, but since there is no mention of 2 discs in the cover notes and all features were present, I didn't follow the matter up and presumed it was simply a mistake in the product description on the site.One possible drawback: There are no subtitles for the hard of hearing, which may be a concern for those who need them (Optimum Home Releasing Special Edition DVD 2006).

Irish screenwriter, producer and director Neil Jordan`s seventh feature film which he wrote, premiered at the 49th Venice Film Festival in 1992, was screened at the 17th Toronto International Film Festival in 1992, was shot on location in England and Ireland and is a UK-Japan co-production which was produced by producer Stephen Woolley. It tells the story about an Irish Volunteer in the IRA named Fergus Clegg who whilst staying with a small group of other IRA terrorists in Belfast, Northern Ireland kidnaps an English soldier named Jody whom a woman named Jude has lured into a trap. Whilst guarding the soldier who believes that it is only a matter of time before he will be killed, Fergus becomes acquainted with him an learns about his girlfriend named Dil who works at a hair salon in the capital city of England, but as Fergus begins to appreciate Jody`s company and regard him as his friend he is assigned to assassinate him by his superior named Peter.Distinctly and precisely directed by Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan, this finely paced fictional tale which is narrated mostly from the two main characters` viewpoints, draws an intriguing and multifaceted portrayal of an Irishman who travels to London, England to honor a friend`s last wish and to get away from his associations with the Irish Republican Army. While notable for its variegated and naturalistic milieu depictions, sterling cinematography by English cinematographer Ian Wilson, production design by production designer Jim Clay and use of colors and light, this character-driven and narrative-driven story about deception, attraction and overcoming one`s preconceptions where a hairdresser and singer whom has just left her boyfriend one day gets a new customer who introduces himself as a Scottish native and later shows up at the bar where she sings, depicts two interrelated and charming studies of character and contains a great score by English composer Anne Dudley.This somewhat political, conversational and eloquently romantic psychological thriller from the early 1990s which is set in Belfast, Northern Ireland and London, England during the Troubles in Northern Ireland in the late 20th century and where a man presents himself with another name than his own to a stranger he only knows from a picture, is impelled and reinforced by its cogent narrative structure, substantial character development, subtle continuity, endearing and colorful characters, brilliant dialog, merging of themes and genres, timely use of music and remarkable acting performances by Irish actor Stephen Rea, American actor Jaye Davidson in his debut feature film role, English actress Miranda Richardson and American actor, producer and director Forest Whitaker. A prominently atmospheric, incisively humorous and memorable love-story which gained, among numerous other awards, the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film at the 46th BAFTA Awards in 1993.

Very intriguing film. You have the menacing undertone of violence from the IRA characters as one of their own defects to look after the love interest of a soldier they kidnapped. It poses the question of how you would react and how far would you go for love. Interestingly it was released around the same time as patriot games (portraying the IRA) but couldn’t be more different.

It was good to find a copy of this, in its original format. I imagine you'd have to be aware this film exists to be buying it.

Finally someone gives this great film an HD restoration (scanned from the original 35mm negative at 2K resolution) it has so deserved over the years. And it looks amazing!! Thank you BFI for loving this film enough to do this much for us fans. Have felt this film has always been mistreated here in the US over the years and glad that the UK still believes in this movie. The extras aren't much to write home about (except that odd alternate ending and the great Neal Jordan commentary) but it is this beautiful transfer in 1080p that got me craving this release since it was first announced in the spring of 2016. It was well worth the wait! This is a region B blu ray so I have hope that Criterion could pick this up for a US release (which I will also get) but I have been a fan of BFI blu rays because I know that they give us great releases. If you are a fan you can buy with confidence because The Crying Game has never looked better!

Cines de arte. A bien irecio en Amazon.

Todo ok

Neil Jordan avec ce film confirme une fois encore qu'il est un immense réalisateur.C'est avec une précision d'orfèvre, une immense pudeur et beaucoup d'intelligence qu'il met en scène cette histoire où chaque séquence nous offre un rebondissement auquel on ne s'attendait pas.La violence y côtoie l'humanité, l'amour et la tolérance. On est happé par ce récit d'une grande originalité servi par des comédiennes et des comédiens d'une justesse incroyable. Stephen Rea (Fergus), Jaye Davidson (Dil), Forest Whitaker (Jody) sont d'une authenticité inégalable et inégalée.Ce film dont je ne voudrais en aucun cas dévoiler l'histoire se résume parfaitement par la parabole deux fois employée au cours du récit du scorpion et de la grenouille...Vous désirez en savoir plus? Alors précipitez vous pour visionner ce film. C'est un pur chef d'œuvre.

All good. Arrived before time. Goods as stated.

THE CRYING GAME has been described as many things, and all of them probably true. Even after 15 years after its initial release, it remains writer-director Neil Jordan's insurmountable masterpiece. Not many casual moviegoers seem to know about this one, but serious film buffs hold this dramatic gem along the greatest cinematic landmarks. This film hasn't changed the landscape of moviegoing as we know it, but it's impacted the souls of those who've embarked on its journey.And what a journey it is...one so intriguing and fascinating that longtime fans still refuse to give away its secrets. When THE CRYING GAME was marketted back in 1992, Miramax and Jordan urged audiences to not reveal the plot twists. That audiences respected their wishes is an unbelievable acheivement. The acheivement was so remarkable that even though I didn't see this film until 2003, I instantly knew that my blabbering wouldn't ruin just a few cheap shocks. No no no, to talk about THE CRYING GAME in too much detail is to deprive audiences of a legitimate emotional connection with the characters.Let's get the plot setup out the way; if I weren't to include it, I'd be talking to myself when I want others to share my experiences. Several IRA operatives kidnap a British soldier, holding him for ransom. As Jody (the British soldier) is held captive, an IRA volunteer named Fergus reluctantly befriends his target. Basically, it's Stockholm Syndrome backwards --- rather than the victim embracing his/her captor, Fergus is eager to use the carrot rather than the stick. As things develop poorly for Jody, Fergus ends up looking for Jody's lover, Dil. From there, I will reveal no more...The word "unpredictable" is an understatement. To call THE CRYING GAME a tale of love or loyalty does not do this film justice. This masterpiece deserves to be known as a "drama" in the truest sense. Webster's definiton is:"A COMPOSITION IN VERSE OR PROSE INTENDED TO PORTRAY LIFE OR CHARACTER OR TO TELL A STORY USUALLY INVOLVING CONFLICTS AND EMOTIONS THROUGH ACTION AND DIALOGUE AND TYPICALLY DESIGNED FOR THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE."A story like THE CRYING GAME's might not be plausible in our physical world, but the triangle involving Fergus, Jody, and Dil is every bit as interesting as a romantic or spiritual connection can be. When the definition refers to "a composition in verse or", I think Neil Jordan's film is constructed in acts very similar to PSYCHO. Although we don't meet very many characters, Jordan seems to keep reinventing what they're about. The central focus or narrative is in a constant growth, which is interesting considering Fergus is almost in every shot.Another interesting note about the verses: Jordan's selection of music is appropriate on a variety of levels. He uses "The Crying Game" in several versions, each telling a different story. Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman" opens the movie, and takes on new meaning if you watch the film several times (aside from the obvious "joke"). Anne Dudley's score for the film is a jack-of-all-trades, using military drums for intensity, and classier & seductive instruments for reflection and discovery. It's a rather wonderful music soundtrack.The verses and prose continue with unbelievable sequences of dialogue. Just listening to these characters talk is an absolute joy."I can't help it. It's in my nature."When a headbagged Jody tells his captor the fable of how a scorpion betrays a frog after being helped across a pond, we relate to Fergus. We realize the visceral impact of the story, but not the cerebral effect. We react, but do not understand. THE CRYING GAME works as a tease, but each time delivers a payoff, and each payoff is an unexpected development.I think most of this movie's fans' favorite narrative tool is Col, Dil's preferred bartender. In Dil's early scenes, instead of talking directly to Fergus across the bar, she thinks aloud to Col, which the drink-server relays Dil's comments to Fergus.DIL: "Ask him if he likes his haircut."COL: "She wants to know, sir, do you like your hair?"FERGUS: "Tell her I like it fine."And to finally on comment on THE CRYING GAME's dramatic "theatricality", the pacing is tight with its 2-hour length. The film works a variety of tones from comedy to violence, from love to hate, and from love and loss. The presentation isn't corny like an American filmmaker would've treated this subject. We believe in the story not only because of Jordan's sensibilities, but also because this story has yet to be replicated. Few screenplays command such respect from future artists.I could go on and on about this work of genius. Thankfully, I still haven't given away anything. THE CRYING GAME's truest admirers haven't, either. And once you've watched the film, you'll come up with clever ways to entice newcomers into the fold, while struggling to keep a tight lip.DVD EXTRAS---This Special Edition DVD includes a making-of documentary, which includes interviews from Stephen Rea, studio execs, Neil Jordan, and even two military officers from both sides of the Northern Ireland conflict. Jaye Davison (who played Dil) is noticeably absent, but Davison has been long-removed from the spotlight, so that's not a surprise. There's also an alternate ending that the studios insisted upon. The Alternate ending isn't terrible, but Jordan's original ending is vastly superior.