Directed By… Sidney Lumet: Volume One (1964 – 1973) (Limited Edition BLU-RAY)

Six films from the prolific and influential director Sidney Lumet are collected in this Limited Edition 7-disc boxset, including a brand NEW feature documentary One Step Further: Becoming Lumet.

• The Pawnbroker (1964)
• The Group (1966)
• The Deadly Affair (1967)
• Child’s Play (1972)
• The Offence (1973)
• Serpico (1973)

Limited Edition 7-Disc Hardbox. 1500 copies only.

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The Pawnbroker (1964) – Imprint Collection #280

This groundbreaking drama features a critically acclaimed performance by Academy Award winning actor Rod Steiger (On The Waterfront, In The Heat Of The Night), and is based on the novel by Edward Lewis Wallant.

A WWII Nazi death camp survivor takes refuge in misery and a bitter condemnation of humanity while managing a Harlem pawnshop subjected to an endless parade of prostitutes, pimps and thieves. 

Also starring Morgan Freeman in his feature film debut, Geraldine Fitzgerald (Arthur), Brock Peters (To Kill A Mockingbird, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home), and Jaime Sánchez (The Wild Bunch, Carlito’s Way), The Pawnbroker is preserved in the Library Of Congress’ National Film Registry.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
• NEW Audio Commentary by writer/producer Phoef Sutton, writer/NPR commentator Mark Legan, and author/film historian C. Courtney Joyner
• NEW Cinema of the Pilpul: A Talmudic View of Early Holocaust Cinema – Video Essay
• The Guardian Interview: Rod Steiger (1992)
• Theatrical Trailer
• Audio LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
• Optional English HOH Subtitles

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The Group (1966) – Imprint Collection #281

A BAFTA nominated social satire, The Group stars an incredible female ensemble cast including Candice Bergen (Gandhi, The Domino Principle, Bite The Bullet), Jessica Walter (Play Misty For Me, Archer), and Academy Award nominees Joan Hackett, Elizabeth Hartman, and Shirley Knight.

A group of eight young women from a certain single-sex liberal arts college face the inevitable pressures to sand the rough edges off their personalities and to surrender their independence to the men in their lives and the institutions they represent. 

Based on the 1963 novel by Mary McCarthy.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
• NEW Audio Commentary by critic Adrian Martin
• Theatrical Trailer
• Audio LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.66:1
• Optional English HOH Subtitles

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The Deadly Affair (1967) – Imprint Collection #282

Sidney Lumet directs the legendary James Mason stars in this thrilling spy film with an incredible score by Quincy Jones, based on John le Carre’s debut novel ‘Call For The Dead’. 

Puzzled by the sudden suicide of a man he’s recently investigated, a British secret agent persists with his inquiries despite being warned off by the Foreign Office. What he uncovers has dire consequences…

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
• Special Features TBC
• Audio LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
• Optional English HOH Subtitles

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Child’s Play (1972) – Imprint Collection #283

James Mason, Robert Preston and Beau Bridges star in this 70’s psychological mystery directed by Sidney Lumet, based on the Broadway play by Robert Marasco. 

At an exclusive boys’ school, a new gym teacher is drawn into a feud between two older instructors, and he discovers that everything at the school is not quite as staid, tranquil and harmless as it seems.

Variety called Child’s Play as “a taut and suspenseful drama” where “Sidney Lumet’s direction catches the mood and spirit of an unhealthy situation and he makes every move count”, and the Los Angeles Times described James Mason’s performance as ranking “with the best portrayals in his long, impressive career”.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
• NEW Audio Commentary by film historian Howard Berger
• NEW Video Essay by author/critic Kat Ellinger
• NEW Interview with production designer Philip Rosenberg
• Theatrical Trailer
• Audio LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
• Optional English HOH Subtitles

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The Offence (1973) – Imprint Collection #284

A thrilling neo-noir crime drama starring Sean Connery as a troubled police detective, The Offence is based on John Hopkins’ stage play This Story Of Yours. 

A burnt-out British police detective finally snaps whilst interrogating a suspected child molester.

With impressive performances from Ian Bannen (nominated for a BAFTA for his role in this film), Trevor Howard (The Third Man), and Vivien Merchant (Frenzy, Alfie), Sidney Lumet’s direction of this bold piece is explosive and disturbing. 

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
• NEW Audio Commentary by film historians Lee Pfeiffer, Tony Latino & Paul Scrabo
• NEW Video Essay by film historian Howard Berger
• NEW Interview with assistant director Michael Stevenson
• Interview with composer Harrison Birtwistle
• Interview with stage director Christopher Morahan
• Interview with assistant art director Chris Burke
• Interview with costume designer Evangeline Harrison
• Theatrical Trailer
• Audio LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.66:1
• Optional English HOH Subtitles

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Serpico (1973) – Imprint Collection #285

Sidney Lumet’s Academy Award nominated biographical crime drama masterpiece features a gripping performance from Al Pacino, acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. 

Serpico presents a city in decay both literally and morally, as everybody is in on the take, and the cops and criminals are almost interchangeable.

“Lumet’s toughest, most provocative film in years… a galvanising and disquieting film… galvanising because of Al Pacino’s splendid performance in the title role and because of the tremendous intensity that Mr. Lumet brings to this sort of subject.” – New York Times

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
• Theatrical Trailer
• Audio LPCM 2.0 Mono / DTS HD 5.1 Surround
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
• Optional English & English HOH Subtitles

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“One Step Further: Becoming Lumet” – Feature Documentary

An all-new documentary detailing the first half of this celebrated filmmaker’s career; from his early beginnings as director for television, to the release of Serpico. Produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
• NEW A Perfectly Outrageous Cut: Editing Lumet – an all-new featurette with award winning editor Alan Heim discussing his working relationship with Sidney Lumet.
• NEW His Favourite Protagonist: Designing Lumet – an all-new featurette with production designer Philip Rosenberg discussing his collaborations with Sidney Lumet.
• NEW Man With No Anger: Scoring Lumet – an all-new featurette with film music historian Daniel Schweiger discussing acclaimed composer Quincy Jones and his collaboration with Sidney Lumet.