Blu-Ray Review: Get Carter

Michael Caine was undoubtedly one of the most famous British faces of the 1960s and 1970s. Sporting his iconic ‘NHS specs’, a swagger and a cheeky grin, he starred in a number of films which in many ways epitomised the era. It was in his memorable portrayal of Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File where the horn-rimmed glasses first made an appearance. Along with a sly charm and a penchant for casual violence, they seemed to inhabit his being. Get Carter is no exception.

Jack Carter (Caine) works for a couple of crime brothers (Terence Rigby and John Bindon) in London. He’s planning to elope to South Africa with one of their girlfriends but has to return to his hometown, Gateshead, for his brother’s funeral first. However, Jack soon starts to suspect that his death was no accident and begins investigating, despite being warned off by an old friend (Ian Hendry). This brings him into conflict with the local mob, led by the vindictive Cyril Kinnear (John Osborne).

Get Carter is a time capsule of a crime story, propelled by a full-bloodied performance from Caine. Jack is no angel but when he uncovers the truth, he’ll do anything and everything to enact revenge. Mike Hodges’ film is full of colourful characters and stylistic splashes. That and a gritty brutality running through it. Get Carter is a dark and disquieting portrait of an underworld where there is no loyalty between thieves. It remains one of the best British crime dramas of the decade.

Extras:

Limited edition 2-disc set
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Newly recorded introduction by Michael Caine (2022, 3 mins)
Audio commentary featuring Mike Hodges, Michael Caine and Wolfgang Suschitzky (2000)
Newly recorded audio commentary featuring Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
Isolated score by Roy Budd
Mike Hodges in Conversation (2022, 60 mins): the director discusses his career in this interview recorded at BFI Southbank
The Sound of Roy Budd (2022, 17 mins): film music expert Jonny Trunk explores the varied career of Roy Budd, and revisits Budd’s iconic, minimalist score for Get Carter
Roy Budd Plays ‘Get Carter’ (1971, 4 mins)
BBC Look North location report (1970, 5 mins): surviving footage of a 1971 report on Get Carter’s making, from the BBC’s regional news programme
Don’t Trust Boys (2022, 22 mins): actor Petra Markham reflects upon her career on stage and screen, and recalls her role in Get Carter
Klinger on Klinger (2022, 24 mins): Tony Klinger recalls and evaluates the career of his father, Michael Klinger, Producer of Get Carter
The Ship Hotel – Tyne Main (1967, 33 mins): Philip Trevelyan’s evocative documentary film about a pub on the banks of the River Tyne
International trailer (1971)
Rerelease trailer (2022)
Michael Caine’s message to premiere attendees (1971, 1 min)
Script gallery
80-page book featuring new writing by Mark Kermode, Tim Pelan, John Oliver and Jason Wood. Also includes Alex Cox’s intro to the film’s Moviedrome screening in 1990, stills, and notes on the restoration by the BFI’s Douglas Weir
Double-sided poster featuring the original UK quad and 2022 rerelease artwork
A set of four postcards featuring iconic scenes from the film
Newly created English subtitles for the Deaf and partial hearing
Newly created audio description track