Neither the Sea nor the Sand Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome

[Losey]

I didn’t found a thread for this one; sorry if there’s already one. I love that film but wasn’t expecting a big improvement on the old DVD considering the transfer’s source. Well, I’m glad I was wrong: it looks really lovely, with unexpectedly fine grain (I was expecting it to be coarse). Some closeups show quite stunning detail. The limited edition sleeve has the title embossed. The cover is reversible with original artwork.

Here’s a cut and paste from VS:

Adapted for the screen by Gordon Honeycombe from his own 1969 novel (which itself takes its cue from the classic horror short story “The Monkey’s Paw”), Fred Burnley’s NEITHER THE SEA NOR THE SAND is a haunting slice of British Gothic boasting standout performances from three-time Emmy Award-winner Susan Hampshire (Malpertuis) and Frank Finlay (Lifeforce), alongside a memorably chilling turn from then-newcomer Michael Petrovitch (Turkey Shoot). Released in the US under the alternate title of The Exorcism of Hugh, NEITHER THE SEA NOR THE SAND is brought back to startling life by Vinegar Syndrome for its world Blu-ray debut, newly restored in 2K from 35mm vault elements and supplemented by an array of brand new bonus features.

directed by: Fred Burnley
starring: Susan Hampshire, Frank Finlay, Michael Petrovitch, Jack Lambert, Michael Craze, Anthony Booth, Betty Duncan, David Garth
1972 / 96 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono

Additional info:

Region Free Blu-ray
Scanned and restored in 2K from a 35mm answer print
Commentary track with writers/film historians Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons
"Steering a Course" (17 min) - an interview with producer Peter Fetterman
"Both the Sea and the Sand" (9 min) - an interview with actress Susan Hampshire
"Jersey Journey" (11 min) - an interview with editor Norman Wanstall
"New Shores" (8 min) - an interview with assistant editor Richard Trevor
"Where Credit Is Due" (8 min) - an interview with standby propertyman Brian Lofthouse
Reversible sleeve artwork
English SDH subtitles

[Hammerlover]

Glad to know it looks good. I have the old DVD and wasn't expecting much of an improvement considering the gritty look of the visuals, so I may need to check out this new Blu.

[Losey]

Note: from 1:22:03 to 1:27:06, there’s a weird source related artefact effect. It’s kind of a transparent turquoise residue. It’s as if something had been peeled off the source but left a faint color mark. I must say it’s distracting because the rest of the presentation is very good. I suppose it couldn’t be helped. Anyway, it’s a few minutes and the ending is intact.

[DaylightsEnd]

I just grabbed both the VS and 88 Films blu ray releases for this title. Inbound now. I should have them in a few days.

Did anyone that already owns the VS release preorder the 88 release, and get a chance to compare them yet?

[Jaymole]

It would be interesting to know how they compare for PQ. I have not bought either one yet but I will probably buy the UK as I like their extras better.