ON THE BLACK HILL [DUAL FORMAT] - BLU-RAY

On the Black Hill (DVD + Blu-ray)
A film by Andrew Grieve

Chronicling the travails of the Jones family Amos (Bob Peck, Jurassic Park), Mary (Gemma Jones, Bridget Jones Diary), and their three children the heart of the story is the intense relationship between their sons, identical twins Benjamin and Lewis (played by real-life brothers Mike and Robert Gwilym). Sharing a unique bond, the brothers journey through eight decades of life, death and hardship together, all the while tied to the land on which they were raised. The epic sweep of the film takes in two world wars, exploring themes of nationalism, class, community, faith and pacifism. Though unrelenting in its portrayal of the raw experiences of rural life, On the Black Hill celebrates the people of the Black Mountains and its landscape, made transcendent by the magnificent cinematography of Thaddeus O'Sullivan.

Set in the stunningly dramatic Welsh Borders, Andrew Grieve's (Hornblower, Letter from the East) evocative adaption of Bruce Chatwin's novel is presented with a fascinating selection of new and archival extra features.

Special features

• Newly remastered and presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition
• An Introduction by Andrew Grieve (2016, 20 mins): newly-filmed interview with the director
• Special Collections Gallery : a selection of stills and promotional media
• Shadow on the Mountains (Arthur Elton, 1931, 20 mins)
• O'er Hill and Dale (Basil Wright, 1932, 16 mins)
• Complete screenplay (Downloadable PDF DVD only)
• Illustrated booklet with writing by Andrew Grieve, Brian Hoyle, Kevin Jackson, Jonathan Chatwin, Philip Kemp and Kathleen Luckey, and full film credits

UK | 1988 | colour | 116 minutes | English language, with optional hard-of-hearing subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.85:1 | cert 15 (contains strong sex)
BD50 | 1080p | 24fps | PCM 2.0 mono (48kHz/16-bit) | region B
DVD9 | PAL | 25fps | PCM mono (48kHz/16-bit) | region 2

Review

A film of integrity, insight and beauty. --The Observer

Oddly neglected since its release, this spare, sensitive adaptation of Bruce Chatwin's novel is one of the best British films of its decade --Sight and Sound

Our countryside hasn't looked this ravishingly lovely since Far From the Madding Crowd --Time Out