Search - Billy Liar [Criterion Collection] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1963 DVD Release: 07/10/2001 Format: DVD - Black and White,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 18 Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Coming-of-Age

Billy Fisher (Tom Courtenay) is known to his blue-collar British mates as Billy Liar because of his vivid imagination. This film version of the Keith Waterhouse-Willis Hall stage play "visualizes" some of Billy's more outrageous fabrications. He periodically escapes the drudgery of his job at a funeral parlor by conjuring up impossible adventures, usually involving the conquest of women. In one of her first film roles, Julie Christie plays one of two "real" girls who wish that Billy would come down to earth and pop the question. Following this film adaptation, Billy Liar was transformed into a stage musical, and later resurfaced as a British TV series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tom Courtenay - Billy Fisher
Julie Christie - Liz
Wilfred Pickles - Geoffrey Fisher
Mona Washbourne - Alice Fisher
Finlay Currie - Duxbury
Ethel Griffies - Florence

One of the prime examples of the British New Wave film explosion of the 1960s, director John Schlesinger's chronicle of the hopelessly in-his-head Billy is given a wonderful rebirth on DVD that will hopefully introduce a whole new generation to the film's wily charms. The remastered black-and-white print (taken from the original fine-grain master) is available in its original widescreen glory of 2.35:1 and it sure looks great. Some of the blacks appear a bit soft at times, but the transfer is miles ahead of any previous video release. The picture has been enhanced for widescreen television as well. The two-channel English mono soundtrack has also been revamped and it sounds fine, keeping dialogue always clear and balanced. Though they are intended for the deaf and hearing impaired, English subtitles have been included for those who find that the thick English accents are a bit too difficult to decipher. A fascinating video excerpt from the BBC program Hollywood U.K.: British Cinema in the Sixties has been included, hosted by Brit Richard Lester. The video helps put into perspective the importance of British film during this time period, as well as putting Billy Liar into its proper historical place. But the best thing on the disc is the commentary track with Schlesinger and stars Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie. Unfortunately each participant was recorded separately. But the tracks have been edited together nicely, making their different takes on the film seem unified without creating too much overlap. Christie's comments tend to be the must illuminating, though the others' views are also worthwhile and interesting. One of the best things about the track is how each participant holds a different view concerning the ending. Great stuff overall and a disc well-worth picking up. Also included is the original theatrical trailer. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide