Bloody Business

Good solid documentary regarding the making of The Long Good Friday. Helen Mirren astute, Bob Hoskins cheery, Pierce Brosnan charming, director John Mackenzie informative and producer Barry Hanson far more alive than he is on later extras! High quality film including the clips. So often after a Blu ray experience the extras seem so naff with second generation DVD quality, here I would say the whole thing is Blu ray quality so no lapse at all with the clips. There were three questions I had after viewing the film and this documentary film answered them all. I had wondered if featuring the IRA by name had caused any cause for concern and this was confirmed leading to my second query as to whether the release had been straight forward. Here apparently a major problem had arisen with the company refusing to release its own film and this was resolved by George Harrison's HandMade Films agreeing to buy it and release it themselves - thanks George! The other thing I wondered was regarding the role of Helen Mirren, which seemed pivotal and unusual. Although quietly spoken and modest Mirren makes it very clear that she had a direct role in changing her character from the usual submissive gangster moll to the central position she takes in the final cut. Essential viewing for fans of the film BUT do not watch before the actual movie.